Hopeful Signs: Renewable Energy from Geothermal and Solar Power

Figure 1: Installed Solar Generation Capacity

Figure 2: Solar Power Installation by Type (2010)

Most of the roof space can be dedicated to solar panels (left); a home with a solar electric power system installed (right). (Courtesy Daiwa House Industry.)

Japan has many dormant and active volcanoes, a sign of the latent geothermal energy that lies beneath its territory.

Figure 3: Global Installations of Geothermal Power (2010)

The Tōhoku Electric Power Co. Yanaizu-Nishiyama Geothermal Power Plant is located near a number of natural hot springs. (Courtesy Tōhoku Electric Power.)