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.
Japan adds 5.8 GW of solar in 2025
Estimates indicate Japan added between 5.8 GW and 6 GW of solar last year, likely taking the country past 100 GW of cumulative solar capacity. Last year’s installations were led by the commercial and industrial market, while the residential sector also saw increased demand.
Mitsubishi Electric Trane announces new heat pump line for hydronic heating
The systems deliver outlet water temperatures up to 74 C, operate in ambient temperatures from -25 C to 43 C, and can be cascaded in groups of up to 16 units for larger commercial applications.
Daikin launches new propane heat pumps for commercial, industrial applications
Daikin has introduced two new propane heat pump lines for industrial and district heating applications, combining monobloc units from 20 kW to 85 kW with modular systems scalable up to 2 MW.
Osaki Electric signs EMS development pact with Kyocera, Taiwan Plastics
Osaki Electric says it has signed an agreement to formalize joint development of its AI-based energy management system (EMS), integrating solar generation and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery storage. It aims to sign a final contract by December 2026.
Japanese scientists build near-white heterojunction solar cell for BIPV applications
The lab-scale, near-white heterojunction solar cell uses nanoclay-based scattering layers combined with dielectric multilayer films to preserve power conversion efficiency while enhancing visual appeal. The researchers report optical losses of less than 1% at a 50% clay volume fraction, which are significantly lower than those observed with textured glass.
Panasonic debuts fuel cell cogeneration system for PV‑integrated homes
Panasonic has launched a new home fuel cell system for detached houses, designed to boost solar self-consumption through HEMS‑based smart scheduling. The unit generates electricity and heat from gas, supports demand response, and can supply emergency power during outages.
Japanese utility launches residential battery demand response pilot
Kyushu Electric Power Co. will begin a demonstration project on March 1 using remotely controlled home batteries supplied by Sharp Energy Solutions to ease solar curtailment in southern Japan.
Idemitsu switches on 2 MW of solar above rice paddy
Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan has announced its 2 MW agricultural solar power plant, installed 3.8 meters above a rice paddy, has begun operating. The project features a community-based model that returns a portion of the profits from power generation to the farmers.
World’s largest steam-producing heat pump comes online in Finland
Turboden, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has energized what it calls the world’s largest steam-producing heat pump, delivering 12 MWth of superheated steam using low-grade waste heat and CO₂-free electricity with a coefficient of performance 10% above its guaranteed value of 2.
