Japanese solar cells to match 20 nuclear reactors’ total energy
Japan’s Ministry of Industry plans to generate energy equivalent to the output of 20 nuclear reactors using solar cells.
Specifically, the country will use perovskite solar cells, which many experts believe could replace conventional solar panels.
READ: The world’s biggest nuclear fusion reactor activates
Article continues after this advertisementThis energy innovation will help expand Japan’s renewable energy production and achieve its net-zero emissions goals by 2050.
How Japan’s solar cells will power its future
Japan eyes next-generation solar power equivalent to 20 nuclear reactors: The Japanese government is planning to generate some 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to the output of 20 nuclear reactors, through thin and bendable… https://t.co/JLivDNsRrJ #japannews #japantoday
— Japan Today News (@JapanToday) December 1, 2024
In 2009, Tsutomu Miyasaka, a Japanese engineer in electrochemistry from the Toin University of Yokohama, developed the first perovskite solar cells.
The university’s official website says he won the Japan Academy Prize for this energy breakthrough on July 11, 2024.
Article continues after this advertisementNowadays, many experts believe it could become the future of solar energy due to its advantages over conventional solar cells.
For example, Interesting Engineering says it can convert 30% of sunlight into electricity. In contrast, traditional silicon can only produce 25%.
Moreover, perovskite cell production uses significantly fewer materials, which can help Japan reach its global sustainability goals.
Adopting these solar cells into its energy plan takes advantage of its position as the world’s second-largest producer of iodine.
Iodine is a crucial component in perovskite cell production. Consequently, the Land of the Rising Sun aims to establish an independent supply chain for renewable energy.
More importantly, this groundbreaking innovation can boost Japan’s economic security. Such a supply chain will reduce dependency on international suppliers and support domestic industries.
Japan’s current energy program aims to boost renewable energy power generation to 36% to 38% in fiscal 2030.
In contrast, The Japan Times says fiscal 2023 had 22.9% power generation.
Companies are developing perovskite solar cells to expand their renewable energy use.
These include Sekisui Chemical, which will commercialize these solar cells in 2025. Also, the company plans to install them in high-rise buildings in Tokyo.
