Japan’s ultra‑thin, flexible solar panels light up the future

Japan Seeks Ultra‑Thin, Flexible Solar Panels to Drive Net‑Zero Ambition

Japan is investing heavily in a new type of solar panel that is both ultra‑thin and flexible, made from a material called perovskite. The goal is to accelerate the country’s transition to renewable energy while challenging China’s dominance in the solar‑plus sector.

Why Perovskite Matters in Japan’s Mountainous Landscape

• Japan’s geography is largely mountainous, which limits the availability of flat land for conventional, silicon‑based solar farms.
• Perovskite panels can be applied to uneven or curved surfaces, making them ideal for the country’s terrain.
• Japan produces more iodine than any other country, a key raw material for perovskite panels, even surpassing Chile.

Challenges Ahead

Perovskite technology is still less efficient than silicon panels and has a shorter lifespan. The panels also contain toxic lead, which raises disposal concerns. Despite these limitations, the technology is advancing quickly, with prototypes now performing almost as well as silicon and durability approaching 20 years.

Government Incentives and Industrial Scale‑Up

Japan’s Ministry of Industry is offering generous subsidies to accelerate production:

• ¥157 billion ($1 billion) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory capable of producing enough perovskite panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027.
• 100 megawatts equates to the power needed for 30,000 households.
• By 2040, Japan aims to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts—roughly equivalent to adding 20 nuclear reactors.

Renewable Energy Targets and Market Outlook

Japan plans to cover up to 29 percent of its total electricity demand with solar power by 2040, a sharp increase from 9.8 percent in 2023. The country also targets renewable energy coverage to reach 50 percent of the electricity demand by 2040.

Key Voices in the Solar Transition

Yoji Muto, Minister of Industry, said the nation’s best strategy to achieve decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness is to push perovskite cells “at all costs.”

Hiroshi Segawa, a University of Tokyo specialist, highlighted the potential for domestic production from raw materials to installation, stressing the importance for energy and economic security.

Success Stories and Pilot Projects

• Tokyo’s 46‑storey building (to be completed by 2028) will incorporate perovskite panels.
• Fukuoka aims to cover a domed baseball stadium with the technology.
• Panasonic is exploring integration of perovskite panels into windowpanes, envisioning “solar‑embedded” windows that generate power where it is used, easing strain on the national grid.

Looking Forward

While perovskite panels are not yet ready for mass production, they promise a future where renewable energy can be more adaptable and integrated into everyday architecture. University professor Segawa argues that Japan could reach 40 gigawatts of perovskite capacity by 2040, setting a model that may inspire international adoption.

“We shouldn’t view this as a competition between silicon and perovskite,” Segawa remarked. “Instead, we should maximize our ability to harness renewable energy and share a proven model globally.”