Strategy and R&D program structure in Japanese new Sunshine Project

The current state of the art in recent progress of Japanese photovoltaic activities are overviewed. Firstly, the purpose and motivation of the Japanese renewable energy program and its transition of R & D program from the Sunshine Project started in FY1974 to the New Sunshine Project are briefly explained together with their key issues and injected budget. Secondly, program structures of the PV technological developments are reviewed. Then a new strategy for the renewable energy promotion so called Fundamental Principle to promote New Energy Developments and Utilization; and its action planning for PV technology up to year of 2010 are introduced. Some key issues for PV industrialization and action planning going on are also presented. Thirdly, technological achievements such as the cost reduction for the 3-5kW PV House Monitor Plan and technological data on efficiency improvements on three kinds of silicon basis solar cells are summarized and discussed. Recent topics in the PV system development field are also demonstrated.