Recently, increasing numbers of photovoltaic and wind power plants have been installed across the country as clean energy sources that emit no CO2. In order to promote widespread dissemination of photovoltaic and wind power generation, Japanese electric power companies have been purchasing electricity generated from solar and wind energy as well as installing their own photovoltaic and wind power plants.
On November 1st, 2009, a new system for purchasing surplus power generated by solar power generation systems came into effect in accordance with the “Law on the Promotion of the Use of Nonfossil Energy Sources and Effective Use of Fossil Energy Materials by Energy Suppliers”. Under this new system, electric power companies are required to purchase excess electricity produced by photovoltaic generation systems installed on ordinary houses at about twice the previous purchase price for the first decade and at gradually decreasing rates thereafter, while the expenses for these purchases are borne by ratepayers in the form of a surcharge.
Ten Electric Power Companies' Purchasing Volume of Photovoltaic and Wind PowerMoreover, electric power companies of Japan are moving toward the construction of large-scale solar power plants to expand solar power in the future. In September 2008, the 10 power companies released a joint plan to build Mega Solar Power Plants with a total capacity of about 140 MW at around 30 sites throughout the country by 2020.
The Japanese power companies are also focusing aggressively on research and development to solve the problems associated with renewable energy sources, such as low generation e ciency, high generation cost, and technical di culties in power system interconnection..
Through such measures, the electric power companies of Japan exhibit their continued commitment to efforts toward expanding and promoting renewable energy sources.
