Japanese Government Increases Solar PV Support

5,466 Views

The Japanese government has a long history of promoting new energy sources – from supporting research and development, to creating programs that drive adoption. Early last year, the Japanese government unveiled its action plan for achieving a low-carbon society: with its largest-ever economic stimulus program – dedicating $55 billion over the next 5 years. The plan, which includes a huge boost for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, is aimed at making Japan a global leader in the development and implementation of core clean energy technologies like solar energy and electric cars.

Year 2010 is considered by many to be potentially a boom year for the Japanese solar market due to the government subsidies and the New Purchase System for Solar Power-Generated Electricity, started on November 1, 2009. The program is a net feed-in-tariff; paying generators of electricity from solar power systems a premium rate for excess energy fed into the grid. It requires utilities to purchase all solar electricity rather than just surplus electricity.

Japan’s Solar Market

The PV industry in Japan is still primarily export driven, and is competing with lower cost options from Asian competitors such as China and Taiwan. However, Japan produced more PV cells than any other country in 2007 with 920 MW manufactured. Yet its market share fell from 37% to 26% in 2006 – a testimony to growing acceptance of solar energy in other countries, such as Germany and Spain, and the strength of emerging PV cell producing countries.

Domestically, Japan had set a goal for getting 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2020 – essentially doubling today’s levels and significantly boosting its solar PV industry. Moving beyond traditional residential rooftops, Japan is looking to outfit its schools and develop a solid utility-scale PV solar program to achieve this goal.

At Applied, we believe we can provide great support for our Japanese customers as they look to invest in new fabs. Whether it is for their domestic market or as they expand around the world, we are ready to deliver the systems and support infrastructure that will help make them be successful, so their solar futures can shine bright.

Bookmark/search this post with:

Keywords:

Comments

think we all agree solar

Submitted by Alex Gaston on Wed, 12/22/2010 - 01:02.

think we all agree solar energy is an important facet of the next generation. Without going too far off topic, I would actually like to comment on the brilliance of the photograph. It is fantastic and in conjunction with the article generates so much emotion and energy on its own.

As we continue to move

Submitted by Alex Gaston on Thu, 12/02/2010 - 01:15.

As we continue to move forward with renewable energy our planet will begin to recover and hopefully sustain our lifestyles with the help of simple energy and a more moderate lifestyle that is less reliant and demanding of the earths natural resource.

Solar Electricity System

Submitted by Scott Markham on Fri, 10/15/2010 - 02:44.

Solar panels and wind powered generators are indeed very helpful to us. This is a good solution to the continuous increase of energy price in the market. It give life long benefits and very environmental friendly. I have developed a keen interest in this entire area. I find it very interesting how many people are so passionate about alternative and green energy sources.

I have recently posted my thoughts about this here: solar electricity system

Thanks,
Scott

2010 could be a boom year for

Submitted by Jasper on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 03:43.

2010 could be a boom year for solar energy in the UK too. The UK Government is introducing a new Feed-in Tariff in April, and the finalised rates for photovoltaic microgeneration, published last week, are higher than originally proposed.

SolarUK, which installs solar PV as well as designing and manufacturing the LaZer2 solar hot water system at its Sussex factory, has already seen a great deal of interest in photovoltaics in the last few weeks: it seems homeowners are viewing the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff as a genuine spur to generating their own electricity ... the payback times now look a lot shorter. Households using renewable technology to generate electricity mainly for their own use will not be subject to income tax on feed-in tariffs.

The UK still has plenty of catching up to do with Germany when it comes to solar energy. However, we do have a 'world first' arriving in 2011: the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), which will guarantee long-term payments for people who have solar hot water thermal, ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers and other renewable technologies installed in their homes.