PVJapan 2008 Expo (photovoltaic)

WONG:
The island nation of Japan has the second largest GDP behind the United States. Although it is an economically viable country, Japan imports 99% of its energy from foreign countries. With world energy costs rising, Japanese manufacturing companies are working to increase the usage of solar energy to move away from fossil fuel dependence.

STORY:
Over 200 companies and university academics are here for PVJapan 2008, the first photovoltaic exposition held in Japan. Photovoltaics is commonly known as solar cell technology.

[Yoshihito Hata, Mitsubishi Solar Energy Division Representative]:
If the sun is shining during the day, the light reflects onto the semiconductor chip of the solar cell module and converts it into electrical energy. This is solar power technology. This technology started in Japan, but now many countries such as Germany, the U.S., Taiwan, China, and Korea are in a race for developing and manufacturing it.

In the 1970s there was an oil crisis, and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry started the Sunshine Project. The Japanese government had a policy to make use of sunshine, either its heat or light, as a renewable source of energy. Through this they thought about how to change it into power, and the research into photovoltaics began.

The largest solar cell manufacturers in the world are Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Kyocera, and Sharp. Japan accounts for 40% of the worlds cell production but currently only 1.3% of Japans energy comes from photovoltaic energy.

[Yoshimichi Bamba, PV Owner Network Representative]:
"In 2005, photovoltaics accounted for about 1.3% but in two years we hope to increase it to 3.4%. Currently, 1,650 MW is being produced and there are plans to increase it to around 4,600 MW.

The government of Japan has set to double the usage of solar power by 2010 to 4,820 MW, which is equivalent to five 1,000 MW-class nuclear plants. With food and energy costs on the rise, this move aims to help Japan adapt to a more self- sufficient future.

[Yoshihito Hata, Mitsubishi Solar Energy Division Representative]:
We are still importing a lot of food from China and oil prices are also rising. Concerning this issue, I think Japan should use more and more solar energy. Although 100% will be difficult, I think moving to 30% then 40% and using less fossil fuel is a very important step towards self-sufficiency.

This is Liliana Yap NTD, Tokyo, Japan.

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