In an important step for Japan to lead globally in renewable energies, Japanese officials have announced plans for a solar energy initiative that uses cutting-edge perovskite solar cell (PSC) technology. It was reported that the new solar panels alone are to produce a staggering 20 gigawatts of electricity by 2040 – the same amount as 20 nuclear reactors.
This marks Japan’s important step in using new technology that completely shifts away from silicon-based solar panels, which have monopolized the industry for decades. Perovskite cells, unlike silicon panels, are lightweight and flexible, which means they are much more efficient. Their adaptability also means that they can be placed on almost all types of infrastructure, such as buildings, vehicles, windows, and even street lights.
Japan’s Ministry of Industry has commented on how perovskite cells will provide clean energy to urban areas where it was previously not possible. An official from Japan’s Ministry of Industry explained, “Perovskite solar cells will open up opportunities for deploying solar technology in densely populated urban areas, where traditional solar farms simply aren’t possible,” explained an official from Japan’s Ministry of Industry.
Japan’s substantial internal supply of iodine, which is a key feature for manufacturing perovskite cells, allows Japan to shift into its PSC technology smoothly and more easily than other countries. Japan, the world’s second producer of iodine after Chile, tries to develop a domestic supply chain that lessens dependence on imports.
The Ministry of Industry has been supporting these technologies. Last December, the Ministry of Industry discussed a draft of an energy plan that features Japan’s renewable energy plan, focusing on perovskite solar cells. Sekisui Chemical Co. has already started to scale up efforts toward the commercialization of PSC panels. While full market penetration is not expected until the early 2030s, there is an acceleration in momentum.
Such combined actions by government and industry come at the right moment for Japan’s solar industry. Japan was once a leader, having produced approximately half of the world’s solar panels in 2004, but now holds a market share of merely 1% due to fierce competition from subsidized Chinese manufacturers.
Japan’s shift in policy towards solar energy saw a sharp acceleration after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, which led to a re-evaluation of energy priorities across the nation. Consequently, renewables provided almost 10% of Japan’s energy mix in April 2024, compared to just 1.9% in 2014.
Despite this growth, challenges persist, primarily land scarcity, limiting traditional solar farm expansion. Hence, flexible, space-efficient PSC technology has become increasingly critical.
Yet, hurdles remain. Currently, perovskite solar cells exhibit shorter lifespans and higher production costs compared to traditional silicon cells. However, according to Japan’s Ministry of Industry, the cost of producing PSCs is expected to fall sharply over the next 15 years. PSC production costs are forecast to drop to JPY 20 per watt by 2025, further declining to JPY 14 per watt by 2030, and reaching as low as JPY 10 per watt by 2040.
Japan’s aim is to increase the share of renewable energy from 22.9 percent in fiscal 2023 to between 36 percent and 38 percent by 2030. The government hopes that with the wide use of perovskite solar cells, renewable energy’s share will grow even more by 2040.
Beyond meeting domestic energy demands, Japan sees potential in exporting its perovskite solar innovations globally. Officials believe that by fostering this technology at home first, Japan can later sell it to other countries.
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