JAPAN

The Japanese Government instituted its Sunshine Project in answer to the problems created by the oil crises of the 1970’s. In 1993, as a way to efficiently overcome barriers related to new energy, the New Sunshine Program (NSS) was launched. This programme has been conducted under the aegis of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI, formerly MITI) and includes an R&D renewable energy programme that extends to 2010. The R&D policies for the PV sector are designed to lead to technologies for a self-perpetuating market: the promotion of low-cost mass production, in turn promoting greater demand and economies of scale, in turn creating a stable market.

Following the 1997 enactment of The Law for New Energy Promotion Introduction, the Advisory Committee for Energy (an advisory body of METI) launched in mid-1998 The Total Primary Energy Supply Outlook. The Outlook specifies that the target for installed PV is 5 000 MW by 2010. During 1999 a further New Energy Technology Strategy was launched and a New Energy Subcommittee was established. The work being undertaken by the various government agencies is designed to bring about an increasing public awareness of PV.

METI is encouraging the growth of PV at a governmental and industrial level as well as in the residential sector - to this end several large demonstration programmes have been put in place. The Residential PV System Dissemination Program aims to subsidise the PV installation cost for individuals with the proviso that they perceive the significance of PV and provide the operational data of their PV system. Between 1994 and 1998, PV systems were installed on 15 596 houses with a further 17 396 houses accepted in 1999 under this programme. When these are installed the total capacity will be 121.2 MWp. Residential PV systems are typically 3-5 kWp and account for over 80% of the demand for PV in Japan. The incentives resulted in an annual average increase of 41% between 1992 and 1999 for installed PV power: as at end-1999 Japan lead the world with 205 300 kWp of which 145 500 kWp was on-grid distributed capacity.

In 1999 the Ministry of Construction authorised PV modules as roofing materials and regional "Solar-town" projects are coming to fruition.

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