Recent advances of the photovoltaic activities in Japan

Abstract

A review is given on recent progress in solar photovoltaic technology in Japan and its contributions as a clean energy resource for solving the worldwide environmental issue. First, a new concept to reform the energy strategy for future civilization is postulated taking account of the environmental issue. Organizations and objectives of the New Sunshine Project are introduced. Second, some unique advantages of solar photovoltaics are described and compared with conventional electric power generation technologies. Third, key issues to develop photovoltaic technology are revealed, and recent R & D efforts to solve them are demostrated with live technologies in progress. Finally, possible new roles to contribute to the global environment issues by the photovoltaic technology are proposed and discussed.