Every Roof in Japan Could Have Solar Panels in the Future
- Environment Ministry raises solar capacity target for 2030
- The nation already leads the world in solar per square meter
Solar panels on rooftops in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg
Japan seeks to add more solar power in a bid to achieve its ambitious 2030 emissions reduction goal, which could eventually lead to every building, parking lot and farm in the densely populated nation being fitted with rooftop panels.
The world’s third-biggest economy aims to have 108 gigawatts of solar capacity online by 2030, about 1.7 times higher than the nation’s previous target and 20 gigawatts more than the current pace of additions, according to presentations from the nation’s environment and trade ministries. The new target comes after Japan said earlier this year that it would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 46% by 2030 compared with 2013, strengthening a previous commitment under the Paris Agreement.