Solar Power Generation Costs in JapanCurrent Status and Future Outlook

in Japanese

Renewable Energy Institute today released “Solar Power Generation Costs in Japan: Current Status and Future Outlook“ (original Japanese version released in July 2019).

This report studies the cost structure for solar PV in recent years based on a questionnaire-centered survey, and analyzes the generation cost of solar PV in Japan. Given the fact that solar PV could potentially become one of the primary electricity sources in the future, it is important that the future cost outlook is also investigated. Accordingly, we estimated generation costs in 2030 based on the results of our analysis and recent research material.
 
Results showed that a dramatic reduction in the costs of hardware such as solar PV modules, inverters, and mounting systems is occurring. In particular, the influx of cheap equipment from overseas is not only reducing overall costs, but also spurring domestic manufacturers to increase their competitiveness. In light of these analysis results, we will outline the policy-related issues identified from this study.
 
*During November and December 2018 we conducted a survey of approximately 1,676 businesses that operate solar PV power plants. The number of cost data case studies collected was 63, with the highest proportion of these - 46 - being medium size power plants (power plants with installed capacity of 50 kW or more and less than 2,000 kW).