This report is the follow-up to the report published in 2019, "Solar Power Generation Costs in Japan: Current Status and Future Outlook" (the "2019 report"), and it analyzes the most recent trends in solar PV costs in Japan.
In 2022, solar energy accounted for 5.39% of Japan''s total energy mix and 9.91% of its electricity generation. In both cases, solar power in Japan holds the largest share of all renewable sources. This is a drastic
In 2022, solar energy accounted for 5.39% of Japan’s total energy mix and 9.91% of its electricity generation. In both cases, solar power in Japan holds the largest share of all renewable sources. This is a drastic contrast to even a decade ago when solar energy contributed less than 1% of the country’s energy.
Solar energy in Japan is emerging as a cornerstone of Japan’s strategy to meet its ambitious long-term sustainability goals. The Sixth Strategic Energy Plan aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 with an interim goal of 36-38% of energy from renewables by 2030.
To maximize the use of solar energy and overcome those drawbacks, two promising technologies have been developed: space-based solar power (SBSP) and next-generation flexible solar cells. Japan is making steady progress toward the practical implementation of both.
The steady growth of solar power in Japan is attributed to several factors, including the country’s focus on energy security, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. Post-Fukushima, there was a national reevaluation of energy sources.
In line with the significant rise in installations and capacity, solar power accounted for 9.9% of Japan's national electricity generation in 2022, up from 0.3% in 2010. Japanese manufacturers and exporters of photovoltaics include Kyocera, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sanyo, Sharp Solar, Solar Frontier, and Toshiba.
This is a drastic contrast to even a decade ago when solar energy contributed less than 1% of the country’s energy. In total, solar energy in Japan grew from 11.05 TWh in 2010 to over 260 TWh in 2022. However, even with this shift, the country must dramatically increase its solar energy infrastructure to meet its 2030 and 2050 targets.
