FY2009 Solar Cell Domestic Shipments Jump 160% Year-on-Year

The Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) released on May 18, 2010, the annual shipment statistics for solar panels in fiscal year (FY) 2009 in Japan, along with the figures from the fourth quarter. While the total shipment of solar panels in FY2009 amounted to 1,668,531 kilowatts (kW) of generating capacity (including imports of 70,393 kW), up 48.9 percent (%) (almost 1.5 times larger) from the previous year, domestic shipments saw a much more drastic rise of 623,127 kW, a 163.2% increase year-on-year.

Total exports climbed 18.3% to 1,045,404 kW, but the jump in domestic demand pushed the export ratio down to 62.7% from 78.9% in the previous year. Quarterly shipments in Japan increased throughout the year; the first half-year showed a 35.3% increase, while the second half-year showed a 64.7% increase. Of the entire domestic shipment, nearly 90%, or 543,708 kW, was intended for residential use, which represented a 176.1% increase from the previous year.

The subsidy programs implemented by the central and local governments for solar panel installations, and the New Purchase System for Photovoltaic Electricity introduced in November 2009 for purchasing excess electricity, appear to have been effective in promoting the shipment of solar panels. JPEA estimates the domestic market of solar power system in FY2009 to be worth as much as 390 billion yen (about US$4.38 billion, an increase of 143.8%), including installation costs.

Japan Seeing a Rapid Increase in Sales of Solar Panels (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029529.html
Ministry Launches New Solar Power Purchasing System in November 2009 (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029497.html

Posted: 2010/08/13 06:00:15 AM