Japan is launching new solar panels powered by perovskite solar cell (PSC) technology. These new solar panels could generate up to 20 gigawatts of electricity by 2040, which is about the same as the output of 20 nuclear reactors.
Traditional silicon panels, which are heavy and stiff, perovskite solar cells are light, flexible, and highly efficient. Because they are so easy to install, they can be placed on building walls, windows, car roofs, and even streetlights.
In a crowded country like Japan, where there is little space left for large solar farms, this flexibility is a big advantage. Officials from Japan’s Ministry of Industry say that perovskite cells will help bring clean energy into city areas where it was not possible before.
One reason Japan is well-positioned to lead this solar revolution is its strong supply of iodine It is the second-largest producer of iodine in the world, just behind Chile.
Iodine is a key material used to make perovskite solar cells. By building a homegrown supply chain, Japan hopes to lower its reliance on other countries for important materials. This is seen as a smart way to boost Japan’s economic security while supporting its goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The Japanese government is taking an active role in pushing this technology forward. Last December, the Ministry of Industry shared a draft of a new energy plan that puts perovskite solar cells at the centre of Japan’s renewable energy strategy.
Companies like Sekisui Chemical Co. are also working hard to bring perovskite solar panels to the market. While full commercialization is not expected until the 2030s, efforts are speeding up, and experts are confident that these solar cells will become a major part of Japan’s energy landscape.
The support is important because Japanese companies once made nearly half of the world’s solar panels in 2004. However, today that number has dropped to less than one percent, mainly because of competition from Chinese manufacturers who receive strong government support.
Japan’s shift toward solar energy grew rapidly after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. The earthquake and tsunami disaster forced the country to rethink its energy sources. Since then, Japan has increased its use of solar power from just 1.9 per cent of the energy mix in 2014 to nearly 10 per cent by April 2024.
This is a strong improvement, but Japan still faces challenges. One major problem is space. Japan has limited land available for large, traditional solar farms. This makes flexible, lightweight options like perovskite solar cells even more important.
As the excitement around PSC technology is high, there are still difficulties to solve. Right now, perovskite solar cells have a shorter lifespan than silicon-based panels, and the production cost is higher.
Research and innovation are moving fast, and the government’s plans show strong progress. According to Japan’s Ministry of Industry, the cost of producing PSCs is expected to fall sharply over the next 15 years.
In 2025, the price could drop to JPY 20 per watt. By 2030, it might fall to JPY 14 per watt. By 2040, the target is JPY 10 per watt. If these targets are met, perovskite solar cells will become much more affordable for everyday use, not just in Japan, but around the world.
Japan’s aims 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.
It is not just about domestic needs. Japan also plans to become a global exporter of perovskite technology. Officials believe that by fostering this technology at home first, Japan can later sell it to other countries.
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