In 2024, the generation capacity of solar energy in Japan amounted to around * megawatts. Figures increased significantly throughout the past decade, compared to around *Â megawatts in 2015. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be less dependent on fossil fuel imports, the Japanese government currently aims to increase the use of renewable energy sources.
 Solar energy represented the largest renewable energy source
In recent years, solar power overtook hydropower as the largest renewable energy source in electricity generation in Japan. Furthermore, solar energy was the source with the highest number of renewable electric power stations. In 2015, the government cut the purchase price of electricity generated from solar energy. Since the sales price of solar photovoltaic modules decreased as well, this resulted in a long-term decline in solar power costs.
 Expansion of renewable energy in Japan
Even though fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal remained the largest energy sources in Japan, the share of renewables in electricity production has continuously increased to close to ** percent. Next to solar power, the Japanese government is also investing in offshore wind farms. Wind currently only supplies a small amount of energy in Japan, but large-scale projects are planned in the coming years.
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IRENA. (March 31, 2025). Generation capacity of solar energy in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in megawatt) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 22, 2026, from /statistics/814161/japan-generating-capacity-solar-energy/
IRENA. "Generation capacity of solar energy in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in megawatt)." Chart. March 31, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 22, 2026. /statistics/814161/japan-generating-capacity-solar-energy/
IRENA. (2025). Generation capacity of solar energy in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in megawatt). ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2026. /statistics/814161/japan-generating-capacity-solar-energy/
IRENA. "Generation Capacity of Solar Energy in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in Megawatt)." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 31 Mar 2025, /statistics/814161/japan-generating-capacity-solar-energy/
IRENA, Generation capacity of solar energy in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in megawatt) ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/814161/japan-generating-capacity-solar-energy/ (last visited July 22, 2026)
Generation capacity of solar energy in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in megawatt) [Graph], IRENA, March 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/814161/japan-generating-capacity-solar-energy/