Japan’s domestic solar shipments surpass 2 GW in Jul-Sep

Dec 2, 2013 - Japan saw domestic shipments of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules in July-September 2013 surge to 2,075 MW from 627 MW a year back, the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) said today.

The period under review represents the second quarter of Japan's fiscal 2013/14.

Exports of PV cells and modules in the three months declined to 53 MW from 153 MW in the year-before period.

Japanese companies were responsible for 72% of the total PV module shipments in the country in the quarter, according to the association.

JPEA's statistics are based on information about 41 firms, among which are electronics major Sharp Corp (TYO:6753), Kyocera Corp (TYO:6971), Suntech Power Japan Corp, part of Chinese Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd (NYSE:STP), and Trina Solar Japan Ltd, a unit of Chinese Trina Solar Ltd (NYSE:TSL).

The rise in solar products shipments is due largely to Japan’s introduction of feed-in tariffs (FiTs) for renewable power in July 2012 after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The country approved a 10% cut in the FiT for solar electricity to JPY 37.8 (USD 0.369/EUR 0.271) per kWh as of April 1, 2013 but that did not affect demand. The Japanese government plans to reduce the rate once again from April 2014.

(JPY 100 = USD 0.976/EUR 0.718)

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