Japan is the perfect blend of ancient customs and state-of-the-art technology. The country itself is known for its sleek, militaristic styles, valuing cleanliness, and showing respect by removing shoes before entering homes and sacred buildings. Now, thanks to its investment in solar panels that pack the punch of 20 nuclear reactors, Japan will be leaping into the 22nd century.
Japan will be leaping into the 22nd century
Tragedies happen when you least expect them. This was the case for Japan when a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami resulted in the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. A massive power grid failure followed, as well as radioactive pollutants emitted into the surroundings, prompting over 160,000 residents to evacuate. The only and slightest silver lining was the increased need for renewable power, which caused solar panels’ popularity to boom country-wide. Today, solar energy is responsible for 10% of Japan’s power capacity.
The biggest disadvantage of traditional solar power for a country such as Japan is the limited available space. Which is why the Japanese industry ministry is investing in a future with next-generation solar cells. Not only will it push the country into the 22nd century, but it will also help them enhance their overall renewables to achieve the global mission of zero carbon by 2050.
What is Japan’s next-generation solar panel? According to the Independent, Japan’s future is the overall future of solar energy, and it will comprise perovskite cells, which have a much higher efficiency than traditional silicon-based cells.
Why Japan is investing in these next-generation solar panels
Perovskite solar cells are engineered from a primary substance called iodine. In Japan’s case, investing in perovskite will help the country establish an autonomous supply chain for a reliable supply. Seeing as the country is the second biggest (after Chile) producer of iodine in the world, it would certainly boost its economic security.
The global solar panel production has been dominated by China since 2004, with Japan’s share falling from 50% to under 1%. The Japanese government hopes that implementing and then exporting perovskite solar cells in the future will help reestablish the country as a leader in domestic renewable energy. The demand should rise, as perovskite solar cells are lightweight, strong, and flexible, and have increased application uses, such as windows, car roofs, and building walls.
Will these bendy panels be enough to have Japan leap into the 22nd century? Perhaps, as these bendy panels can result in extreme power.
Extreme power from bendy panels
These perovskite solar cells are bendy and thin, and per the Japanese government’s energy plans, they will be able to produce almost 20 GW of power by fiscal year 2040. According to the Independent, that is equivalent to the power output of 20 nuclear reactors. Japan’s leap into the future will progress quickly than anticipated, as a perovskite tandem cell has a theoretical efficiency limit of 43%. That is significantly higher than the efficiency limit of 29% for a traditional silicon-based cell. This means Japan’s renewable energy transition will be swift.
Numerous companies have been developing perovskite solar cells on a commercial level, including the Tokyo-based company Sekisui Chemical Co. However, the world will only be fully introduced to perovskite solar technology by 2030, as researchers are still focused on enhancing its durability and lifespan, and lowering its costs.
Once the obstacles of perovskite solar technology have been overcome, it will only be a matter of time before Japan takes the final leap into the future with these next-generation solar panels. That does not mean that time has stood still, as numerous Japanese researchers have been developing other advanced solar technologies. Only time will tell which one of these technologies will become commercialized first.