Japan’s solar panel supply reached 1.28 GW in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, supported by strong residential demand and the continued dominance of foreign manufacturers, with domestic production limited to just 5% of total output, according to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA).
Japan’s solar panel shipments reached 1.28 GW in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, driven by a sharp increase in residential demand that pushed domestic shipments to 1.273 GW, up 111% from a year earlier, according to the JPEA, a trade group representing Japanese solar manufacturers.
Residential PV installations rose 126%, offsetting weaker growth in commercial systems, the JPEA said in its latest quarterly report.
Foreign manufacturers continued to dominate the market, supplying 828 MW, or 65% of total deliveries, up 114% year-on-year.
Japanese suppliers shipped 452 MW and retained a 35% share. Production remained largely offshore, with 95% of modules manufactured outside Japan, the JPEA said.
The non-residential segment delivered 900 MW, an increase of 105%, of which 490 MW was for large-scale power generation and 410 MW for general commercial use. Overseas transmissions remained marginal at 6.5 MW, about two-thirds of last year’s level.
Modules rated at 300W and above accounted for the majority of the volume, with a total of 1,131 GW for the quarter.
Japanese companies shipped 445 MW domestically, of which 241 MW was for residential use, 80 MW for power generation and 125 MW for commercial locations.
Foreign companies supplied 828 MW domestically, including 132 MW for residential installations, 411 MW for power generation and 285 MW for commercial installations.
The overall pattern reflects continued dependence on foreign manufacturing, strong residential demand and steady growth of large-scale solar projects, with domestic supplies led by the Southeast region, the JPEA said.
Japan aims to accelerate its energy transition by expanding renewable capacity, improving electricity grid flexibility and integrating emerging technologies such as perovskite solar energy and green hydrogen. The government has launched two new grant schemes, offering up to 75% cost support for perovskite modules and storage, to reach the target of 20 GW perovskite capacity by 2040, the Ministry of Environment said.
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