The government is considering having schools, municipal offices and other public offices equipped with solar panels as part of a "Green New Deal" policy that aims to bolster economic growth by promoting measures to tackle climate change, sources said Sunday.
Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito is due to announce Wednesday an outline of the envisioned program at a Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy and complete the plan by the end of the month so it can be included in the next economic stimulus package.
By boosting public demand for solar equipment, the government aims to reduce the price for such systems.
The government also plans to oblige power companies to purchase electricity generated by solar energy at schools, houses and companies at twice the current price.
The program will include preferential treatment for the purchase of environmentally friendly consumer electronics devices and cars to help make such products more popular, the sources said.