Solar Power Generation Industry Report: Key Companies and Industry Characteristics

What Is the Solar Power Industry:

The Japanese solar power industry is a vital sector dedicated to promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable energy supply, encompassing the entire process from equipment manufacturing to installation, operation, and maintenance. This industry collaborates with domestic and international companies, research institutions, and government agencies to develop high-efficiency solar cells, install large-scale solar power plants, and promote the adoption of solar power systems in individual homes and businesses. Following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, Japan strengthened its utilization of renewable energy. As a result, according to the Energy White Paper by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, the cumulative installed capacity of solar power reached approximately 64.7 GW (gigawatts) by the end of 2020. Equipment costs have been steadily declining, and the adoption of residential rooftop solar power systems is also progressing. However, the industry faces various challenges, including improving efficiency, reducing costs, and developing energy storage systems to enable a stable supply of renewable energy.

Characteristics of the Solar Power Industry:

The Japanese solar power industry is gaining attention as a safe and clean energy source, particularly as a countermeasure against natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, alongside its distinct market trends. Since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the government has intensified its promotion of renewable energy, leading to a dramatic increase in solar power adoption. As of 2022, it is reported that approximately 12% of Japan's total power supply is generated by new energy sources, reflecting an increasing share of renewable energy.

On the other hand, the Japanese solar power industry faces certain challenges. For instance, there are limitations in selecting suitable sites for power plants, as vast areas of land appropriate for solar power—such as in urban areas or mountainous regions—are not always readily available. Additionally, there is the issue of power supply instability. Because solar power generation fluctuates significantly depending on weather and time of day, it requires integration with other energy sources and improvements in energy storage technology.

Technological advancement is another characteristic of the Japanese solar power industry. Many companies and research institutions are engaged in technological development to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In the Innovative Solar Power Technology Research and Development project by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), solar cell energy conversion efficiency has reached a world-leading 44.4%, which is an exceptionally high level by international standards. Such technological development has the potential to further promote the widespread adoption of solar power.

From a policy perspective, the Japanese government is strongly promoting the adoption of renewable energy and the reduction of carbon emissions. The government has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and plans further expansion of solar power as a key means to that end. While this policy supports the growth of the entire industry, it also brings challenges such as the maintenance of power generation facilities and the training of technical personnel.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Japanese solar power industry is seeing an increase in resident-participatory regional energy projects. In these projects, local residents participate in the operation of solar power plants and return the profits generated to the local community, aiming for the democratization of energy and sustainable regional development. These initiatives help to further unlock the potential of solar power.

Market Environment and Challenges in the Solar Power Industry:

The Japanese solar power industry has grown since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, alongside rising public awareness regarding renewable energy. In particular, the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme introduced by the government served as a major incentive, making it easier for individuals and companies to install solar power plants. Under this system, the installed capacity of solar power equipment in Japan reached approximately 64.7 GW between 2012 and 2020.

However, because the burden of the FIT scheme has been reflected in electricity rates and purchase prices have been declining annually, new investment has become difficult. According to announcements by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the FIT purchase price has settled between 9.5 and 16 yen/kWh as of 2023. This is lower than the initial purchase prices, posing a significant challenge for continuing capital investment in solar power.

Japan's topography and climate also affect the market environment of the solar power industry. In particular, the mountainous terrain and rainy climate make the installation and operation of solar power systems difficult. Furthermore, as Japan is an earthquake-prone country, additional costs are sometimes required to prevent damage to equipment.

On the other hand, technological progress and cost reductions are enhancing the competitiveness of solar power. As mentioned above, the energy conversion efficiency of solar cells is improving year by year, with some laboratories achieving conversion efficiencies exceeding 40%. Additionally, capital investment costs are decreasing. According to the Japan Renewable Energy Foundation's "Analysis of Cost Structure for Solar Power in Japan 2021," capital costs for solar cells have dropped to near 150,000 yen per kW, compared to 2018 when many facilities exceeded 200,000 yen per kW. This makes the adoption of solar power more affordable and promotes its widespread use.

Finally, there are challenges regarding the stability of power supply. Solar power generation fluctuates significantly depending on weather and time of day. To address this, the introduction of power storage systems and integration with other types of renewable energy are required. However, the cost of power storage systems remains high, and their adoption is limited. By overcoming these challenges, solar power is expected to become a more stable power supply source, leading to further adoption.

List of Major Companies in the Solar Power Generation Industry (Top 50 Excerpt)

The following are the major companies extracted from the corporate master database, LBC.

While corporate data can be collected from various sources, gathering all of it through self-directed efforts is an extremely labor-intensive task. uSonar, provided by our company, operates multiple databases in parallel to collect data from diverse sources daily, continuously updating highly accurate, integrated, and enriched corporate data.

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