Japan eyes next-generation solar power equivalent to 20 nuclear reactors

Japan's share of global solar panel production has declined to less than 1 percent from around 50 percent in 2004, overwhelmed by Chinese makers producing solar panels supported by massive state subsidies.

Rather than providing massive state subsidies to actual solar cell production, Japan instead gives massive state subsidies to the purchase and installation of solar cells to both homes and power plants.

And being that these solar cells being installed are mostly made in China, the Japanese government is essentially giving this taxpayer money to Chinese companies... so these companies are being subsidized on both ends!

Japan as the world's biggest creditor nation is in pole position to lead the current infrastructure deficit throughout Japan and the rest of the world.

Supply chain realignment, global climate initiatives, AI and semiconductors, critical minerals...all need massive amount of capital, and any country that can't afford to participate will be left in the dust.

I wouldn't want to be a citizen in the EU, South America, or Africa...

IMHO, North America, Asia and the Middle East (having access to cheap capital) are going to reshape the whole globe.

Japan instead gives massive state subsidies to the purchase and installation of solar cells to both homes and power plants

And being that these solar cells being installed are mostly made in China, the Japanese government is essentially giving this taxpayer money to Chinese companies...

How can Japan give subsidies for installation in China ?

Your talk does not make sense at all. Please elaborate and give factual data

This technology looks very interesting and may be a real game changer.

With all our space in Australia hopefully we could invest in these panels too.

How can Japan give subsidies for installation in China ?

Your talk does not make sense at all. Please elaborate and give factual data

Huh? Installation in China?? I'm talking about installed in Japan. Please re-read my post.

Again, if someone wants to install solar cells in Japan, they can easily get a subsidy from the government to help pay for it.

Those solar cells being installed are mostly made in China.

So the subsidy money from the Japanese government is given to Japanese consumers and power plants so they can go buy a product made in China.

Massive Japanese solar subsidies have been given out ever since the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Look it up.

The fossil fuel companies won’t like that. How long before they start spreading rumors about this?

The fossil fuel companies won’t like that. How long before they start spreading rumors about this?

Through a talento with a squeaky voice, I would guess.

Net-zero emissions? Alone the production, transport into every corner and the necessary replacements due still shorter lifespan creates an emission above zero, probably very much above zero when considering the huge scale of 20 nuclear reactors equivalent size. And of course the knockout question, can the panels bear babies so that someone remains left to use them?

Until it is commercialized, this is vaporware. It's better to use existing panels now than vaporware in 2040. Research away by all means, but we need action now, fifteen years before 2040.

Good idea to increase energy self-reliance and protect the environment with an exciting new tech. and economic catalyst!

Forest growth can offset some CO2 emissions, so it's still feasible to reach net zero emissions. It's much better than importing fossil fuels from abroad and burning them, don't you think?

I don't understand your point about the babies thing.

Net-zero emissions? Alone the production, transport into every corner and the necessary replacements due still shorter lifespan creates an emission above zero, probably very much above zero when considering the huge scale of 20 nuclear reactors equivalent size. And of course the knockout question, can the panels bear babies so that someone remains left to use them?

It's a pretty pipedream. Only nukes, fossil fuels and hydro (when there's a reliable water supply) can produce the constant baseload power an industrial society needs to function. Solar and wind are good as components of the energy supply, but not as the backbone.

I use solar for all my chargeable appliances.

Imagine solar not just on a roof but covering the whole building-that is the future with perovskite solar cells .

The problem with those, as clearly the article mentioned, is the very short life span of those. One alos have to remember that you also need very big and expensive betteries, if you want to store the energy during the night, which also have short life span. Unless those are properly insured, and replaced for 95% of their cost, it is not very viable solution at the moment...

Everything's far off into the future re clean energy sources, including implementation of current technologies. Why arent carbon capture tech not being promoted/more utilized?

A clean energy boom has been ongoing for several years now. For example, it accounts for more electricity production than fossil fuels in the EU. It will be the same in most parts of the world in a few years.

Carbon capture tech is expensive and doesn't provide any product that can be sold (except carbon credits...). It's a band-aid, not a solution.

Everything's far off into the future re clean energy sources, including implementation of current technologies. Why arent carbon capture tech not being promoted/more utilized?

a pipe dream that will end up destroying the environment but make a few people very rich

The Japanese government is planning to generate some 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to the output of 20 nuclear reactors

So I am to understand, since time travel requires 1.21 gigawatts, not even a typical nuclear power plant can send Marty back to 1952?

scam

Some scientists claim it is no longer necessary to generate overnight base power.

As long as they have a smaller footprint and greater longevity than 20 nuclear power plants I’m all for it.

more than likely it’s just another pie-in-the-sky tax dodge

AustPaulDec. 2  08:03 am JST

This technology looks very interesting and may be a real game changer.

With all our space in Australia hopefully we could invest in these panels too.

It may be costly at first but the benefits will be worth it in the long run.

Some scientists claim it is no longer necessary to generate overnight base power.

...and households with a Tesla powerwall and solar are virtually independent of the grid. Storage (battery) has revived solar and wind viability. I charge my Tesla only using excess solar.

Only nukes, fossil fuels and hydro (when there's a reliable water supply) can produce the constant baseload power

Sure, and I am a Chevron and Osaka gas investor, but look at how Europe is on its way to irrelevance having relied on Russian gas and French nukes...

IMHO, robust debate, like in USA is the only solution, the minute you run your country on ideology, you are exposing your country to tyrants, dictators and ideologues.