Concentrator solar cell modules and systems developed in Japan

Abstract

Dissemination of photovoltaic (PV) systems has advanced, and solar cell module production has also significantly increased in Japan as a result of R&D programs such as the New Sunshine Project under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Residential PV System Dissemination Program, as well as others. Figure 15.1 shows Japanese cumulative installed capacity of PV systems. The total installed capacity of PV systems in 2004 reached 268.8MW and the cumulative installed capacity recorded 1128.2MW (over 1-GW level). The PV market in Japan is working toward a target of 4.82GW by 2010. As a result of discussion at the Committee for the 2030 PV Road Map in Japan organized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) and METI, we also expect about 100-GW cumulative installed capacity [1], about 10% of Japanese electricity consumption, by 2030. The rapid growth in the PV market in recent years has been driven by the rooftop installations in the range 3-5 kWp; however, a market for larger PV systems is beginning to emerge, and in 2003 more than 20 systems of over 450kWp in size were commissioned in Europe and the U.S., with an installed capacity of 26MWp [2]. In addition, large-scale PV systems are necessary to develop in order to realize installation targets of PV systems shown in PV road maps. These facts suggest that concentrating PV systems can play a very important role for a growing PV market and a largescale productions of PV systems when cost-effectiveness against flat-plate arrays is demonstrated. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.