As our heavily populated planet and its inhabitants deal with environmental issues that threaten our way of life and perhaps our very existence, the Japanese are moving ahead to make a huge difference in the quality of life for future generations. Japanese solar power systems technology is cutting-edge and the country has been the world’s largest producer and user of solar power since 2000.

Solar systems are one of the most environment-friendly power sources in existence.  They simply harness the sun's energy.  They emit no carbon dioxide, a major cause of global warming and they create no hazardous by-products that have to be buried for millions of years. Using the sun’s energy as a renewable resource helps to conserve the diminishing supply of non-renewable sources such as oil and natural gas. As the concern about global warming grows, the market for solar power systems expands. 

Japan is already the largest producer and user of solar energy, but they're not resting on those laurels. The Japanese government is strongly supporting further development and refinement of photovoltaic technology, the solid-state semi-conductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current electricity.

Photovoltaic technology is based on an over 150-year-old discovery of light-induced voltage in electrolytic cells.  However, Bell Labs' invention of the silicon solar cell in 1954 was the start of significant development in the technology.  In 1962 came the first real use of the sun’s energy to power satellites, an application where cost was secondary to simplicity and reliability. The U.S. space program drove additional development and since the 1970’s, Japan, the U.S. and Europe have produced a number of public/private sector joint efforts to continue refinement and development. The Japanese, though, have come to the forefront in promoting, producing and using solar power.

In April of this year, Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) completed construction of its largest solar power facility to date. Located in Tsukuba City (northeast of Tokyo) this facility will produce one million kilowatt hours of clean energy per year, enough to supply approximately 300 households.  The facility is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 300 tons per year and will provide power to the AIST. It will also serve as a focal point to assemble and display state-of-the-art solar power technology and as a testing ground for four different kinds of materials for use in solar panels.

Japan produces almost 50% of the world’s total solar cell production; Japanese manufacturers dominate the global industry, and export about 30% of what they produce.  Their leadership in the field is expected to continue as Japanese manufacturers continue to expand, building new facilities both in their own and other countries. Demand for solar energy in the U.S. should continue to expand as California, New Jersey and other U.S. states offer incentives. Interest in California is so high that funding for new projects is usually gone by March.  In California, there is also visible business interest in solar power.  Coca Cola and Frito-Lay recently announced plans to install solar power units.