Japan sets FIT terms for small PV, rooftop solar as large-scale auctions end
The Japanese government has set 2026 feed-in tariff (FIT) terms for solar below 250 kW, set the renewable energy levy at JPY 4.18 ($0.026)/kWh, and confirmed that feed-in premium (FIP) auctions for large-scale solar will end after 2026.
Panasonic claims world’s first trial of cybersecurity monitoring for grid-scale BESS
A Japanese joint-pilot will test grid-scale BESS with a range of local and remote attack vectors, with cybersecurity monitoring to watch for indications of anomalies.
Japan finances 130 MW solar project in Tunisia
The latest round of Japan’s carbon financing program, which provides financial support for low-carbon infrastructure projects in partner countries, is backing a 130 MW solar project being built in southeastern Tunisia.
What happens when malware hits PV systems
A random malware variant affected about 800 remote monitoring devices at ground-mounted PV plants in Japan in May 2024. Tokyo-based cybersecurity firm Girasol Energy has told pv magazine what happened and how PV asset owners can protect themselves against such incidents.
Japanese firm GBP launches fencing for solar and BESS sites
GBP K.K., a Japan-based clean energy infrastructure company, has launched perimeter fencing systems for grid-scale solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) sites, targeting security in difficult terrain and noise mitigation near residential areas.
Japan publishes new guidelines for flexible solar cell installations
Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) says its new design and construction guidelines for flexible PV and perovskite solar installations will help ensure the safety and reliability of systems deployed on low-load rooftops and wall surfaces where conventional panels cannot be installed.
Japanese researchers achieve world record efficiency of 12.28% for copper gallium selenide solar cell
Researchers in Japan have achieved a 12.28% efficiency in a copper gallium selenide solar cell, the highest reported for indium-free wide-bandgap chalcogenide absorbers in the 1.65–1.75 eV range. The device uses aluminum-engineered films with a back-surface field and optimized cadmium sulfide buffer layers to enhance voltage, reduce recombination, and improve overall performance.
Japan establishes national benchmarks for agrivoltaics as sites expand
The Japanese government has defined new standards for agrivoltaics as regulators begin tightening oversight in response to nearly one-quarter of projects reporting reduced crop yields or sub-standard cultivation beneath solar panels.
Toshiba rolls out AI-powered solar plant portfolio management platform
Toshiba has unveiled a PV management platform within its Spinex for Energy portfolio that enables real-time monitoring and O&M of multiple solar plants.
The system uses AI to track plant performance, detect faults, calculate capacity and PR metrics, automate reporting, and support troubleshooting.
Japan’s 27th solar auction concludes with average final price of $0.029/kWh
Japan has allocated 79 MW of PV capacity in its latest procurement exercise. The lowest price in the auction was JPY 0/kWh.
