美国太阳能电力协会（SEPA)目前和18个电厂管理者一起在日本共同参与了第三次的年度光伏投资考察。该考察的实施时间为7月25日-30日。
目前在国外，该使者团将参观拜访日本电厂，政府官员和太阳能公司，并且浏览该国商业太阳能电厂以及研究机构。
“该举措将使得美国政府光伏决策者看到日本的太阳能建筑是如何获得有形的资产援助并且帮助这些决策者将相关的例子引入到美国市场中去。”SEPA领导人茱莉亚.汉 评论道
从东京的集合开始，该使者团将沿路向日本中心城市进行参观，去学习该国政府主导的太阳能研究提案以及拜访他们的研究团体，调查该国新能源政策设计以及长期架构，并且和该国同行电厂建立合作关系。
在过去的年度考察中使者团参观和体会到了不同的欧洲光伏市场经验，2008年使者团一行来到德国并且花费了相当长的一段时间学习该国成功的光伏政策，去年的考察地点是西班牙，在西班牙使者团考察了光伏及光热两个项目。
The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is currently in Japan along with 18 utility executives and managers, as part of its third annual Solar Fact Finding Mission, which takes place from 25 to 30 of this month.
While abroad, the delegation will meet with Japanese utilities, government officials, and solar companies, and will also tour commercial installations and research facilities. "Allowing U.S. utility decision makers to see first-hand how solar integration is providing tangible value in Japan will help these executives translate relevant examples into solar activity here in America," said SEPA president and CEO, Julia Hamm.
Gathering in Tokyo yesterday, the group will now travel throughout central Japan to learn about solar research initiatives taken by the Japanese government and its research bodies; investigate the structure and design of the country's long-term policy framework for renewable energy; and develop working relationships with peer utilities from around the U.S. and Japan.
Past missions gave delegations insight and experience into different European solar markets. In 2008, the group traveled to Germany and spent a significant amount of time learning about the policy that has driven the solar market in that country. Spain was the destination for last year’s mission, where participants explored both photovoltaics and concentrating solar thermal electric installations.
"This trip was an excellent opportunity to see first-hand many of the critical issues that solar faces in becoming a major part of our energy portfolio," said Steve Malnight from Pacific Gas & Electric of SEPA's Mission to Spain. "It was a great opportunity to see these facilities first hand and talk to the key policy makers, and it was made even more valuable by the group of utility executives on the trip, each of whom brought different perspectives and experiences that added to the learning."
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