With the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and strengthening its technological competitiveness, Japan is intensifying its investments in flexible solar panels made of perovskite, a lightweight and adaptable alternative that promises to revolutionize the energy market.
In contrast to conventional silicon systems, these ultra-thin devices can be installed on curved or irregular surfaces, a crucial attribute in a country where 70% of the territory is mountainous.
A strategic advantage is the use of iodine as a key component, a material of which Japan is the world’s second-largest producer, after Chile. However, there are technical challenges: perovskite solar cells contain lead and still do not match the efficiency or durability of their silicon counterparts.
Nevertheless, Industry Minister Yoji Muto was categorical: “These cells are our best tool to achieve decarbonization and regain industrial prominence.”
To accelerate their implementation, the government granted subsidies of 157 billion yen (US$1 billion) to the company Sekisui Chemical, with the goal of manufacturing panels capable of generating 100 MW by 2027, equivalent to the consumption of 30,000 households.
Energetic transition and technological leadership for 2040 with flexible solar panels
Looking towards 2040, Japan plans to install perovskite panels with the capacity to generate 20 GW of electricity, a volume comparable to 20 nuclear reactors, as part of a national strategy for 50% of electrical demand to come from renewable energies.
Currently, solar participation —combining silicon and perovskite panels— represents 9.8% of the energy matrix, but it is projected to reach 29% by that time horizon, driven by technological advances and new urban developments.
In Tokyo and Fukuoka, these panels are already being incorporated into tall residential buildings and sports stadiums, while Panasonic is working on integrating them into cutting-edge windows.
According to Hiroshi Segawa, an expert in photovoltaic technology at the University of Tokyo, “we must mobilize all possible technologies. Perovskite solar panels can be developed entirely in Japan, from raw materials to installation, reinforcing energy and economic security.”
Decentralized production and reduction of dependence on the electrical grid
The structural lightness of these panels —just 1 millimeter thick and one-tenth of the weight of silicon units— allows energy to be generated directly where it is consumed, reducing the use of traditional electrical infrastructure.
Despite the enthusiasm, they are not yet produced on a massive scale. Their efficiency is lower, with an estimated lifespan of 10 years, compared to 30 years for silicon. Additionally, the lead content requires specific treatments for final disposal.
However, advances are constant: some prototypes already match the energy performance of traditional panels, and a 20-year durability is expected soon. Segawa estimates that, if investment levels are maintained, Japan could have 40 GW of solar capacity based on perovskite by 2040, accelerating the adoption of clean energy in other countries as well.
“It is not about choosing between silicon or perovskite, but about maximizing the use of all available renewable sources,” concludes the specialist in dialogue with the AFP agency. “If Japan manages to establish a solid model, it can share it on a global scale.”
Main photo: AFP
