New climate fund supports Japanese farmers with solar sharing grants

In order to support farmer-led and community-driven renewable energy projects, the Public Resource Foundation established the Japan Climate Fund last week to accelerate the adoption of solar sharing, also known as agrivoltaics, across the country. The fund also has an aim to strengthen regional resilience against the escalating impacts of climate change.

The fund has opened applications for the Solar Sharing Grant Connecting Agriculture and the Future. This programme provides financial assistance to projects that combine crop production with solar power generation, which addresses the dual challenges of declining agricultural yields and the need for decarbonisation.

Farmers in Japan increasingly face unpredictable harvests and disrupted agricultural schedules due to shifting weather patterns. Solar sharing allows for the simultaneous production of food and clean energy on the same land. When implemented with consideration for local needs, this approach stabilises agricultural income while contributing to national renewable energy targets.

The Japan Climate Fund focuses on supporting grassroots activities, including awareness campaigns, personnel training, and the creation of collaborative networks within local communities. Sachiko Kishimoto, Co-Representative Director of the Public Resource Foundation, noted that farmers are among the first to experience the direct consequences of climate change. She stated that the fund intends to support solutions emerging from local regions to ensure income stability and promote the spread of renewable energy through community-based solar sharing.

The foundation seeks to expand its impact by inviting participation from domestic foundations and individual donors. This collaborative model aims to build a robust financial base for climate action within Japan, with the understanding that effective climate measures must ensure benefits reach local residents.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organisations, social enterprises, and other entities engaged in projects that enhance community resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fund will provide a total of 20 million yen in its first round, with a maximum of 10 million yen per organisation. Projects involving environmental destruction, such as deforestation, or those focused solely on purchasing equipment are excluded from the programme.