Japan will push for a transition to perovskite solar panels. This is the biggest blow to Chinese industry in decades
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Consortium of 150 Japanese private and public companies will set capacity target by 2040
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These photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently and can be flexible.
Japan has just created a consortium of 150 public and private organizations to accelerate the adoption of flexible perovskite solar panels, a Japanese technology that aims to take on China’s photovoltaic industry with more efficient, versatile and durable modules.
All in one. Japan long ago lost its leadership in silicon production to China, but the country is taking steps to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the perovskite business.
In addition to the Japanese government’s investment of more than $400 million in the production of photovoltaic cells based on the new technology, Japan has just created a consortium of 150 public and private companies and organizations to accelerate the adoption of the next generation of flexible solar cells. panels.
First steps. The consortium will set a perovskite cell production capacity target for 2040 this summer, according to Nikkei. Current projections show it will have a capacity of 38.8 gigawatts, with the potential to exceed conventional solar panel capacity (70 GW) in the next decade, reaching 84.2 GW in 2050.
Whether or not it meets these projections, the target will be reflected in the government’s renewable energy strategic plan, which will need to be updated as the 2021 version does not include capacity targets for perovskite solar panels.
Companies and governments. The consortium is led by Toshiba and Sekisui Chemical, which are already developing elements from the new material and plan to commercialize them next year.
Other prominent members of the consortium include Panasonic, auto components supplier Aisin, chemicals maker Kaneka and Japan Railways Group.
Government organizations joining the consortium include Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and one hundred local governments, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
What are Perovkists? Invented by Japanese scientist Tsutomu Miyasaka, these photovoltaic cells have a crystalline structure similar to that of the rare mineral of the same name. They are more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity and can be cheaper to produce. Moreover, they degrade less and less.
They are also thinner and more flexible than silicon cells, which opens up a number of new possibilities for their installation. They can extend onto balconies, carports, vehicles and other places where installing rigid solar panels is impossible or impractical.
Bet against China. In the midst of the energy transition, the Chinese solar industry dominates more than 80% of the supply chain and an even larger share of polysilicon production. This has driven down solar panel prices while creating almost total dependence on Chinese technology.
Once perovskite cells surpassed the efficiency of conventional silicon cells, Japan clearly saw the opportunity and upped its ante.
Today, there are two types of perovskite solar panels: film and glass. Japan is moving toward flexible film, but much research remains to be done on materials to achieve the performance of conventional panels without the use of toxic metals that the industry has used for years, such as lead.
Image | Sekisiu Chemical
In Hatak | China had a monopoly on solar panels. Japan has the technology to destroy it: perovskites