The Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) has released statistics on Japanese solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and module production and demand in the most recent quarter, reporting a 180% year-over-year growth in the nation's PV market to 627 MW.

68% of domestic demand was met with domestic production, however combined cell and module imports increased over 300% year-over-year. Of the 533 MW of PV modules produced, monocrystalline silicon PV comprised 36%, multicrystalline PV 41%, and thin-film 23%.

Japan a net importer of PV

The organization's second quarter of fiscal year 2012 ended September 30th, 2012.

Japan imported 187 MW of PV modules, however the agency reported no thin-film imports during the second quarter. The nation is also a net importer of PV cells, producing 48 MW fewer cells at 485 MW than modules during the quarter.

For combined PV cell and module exports of 153 MW, the largest end-market was Europe at 76.2 MW, followed by North America at 56.1 MW and 49.9 MW to other regions. Japan's exports to North America grew particularly rapidly, at 94% year-over-year.

Residential PV market still dominates

In terms of end-markets, the residential PV market made up the large majority of the domestic market at 71%, with only 71 MW headed to utility PV projects, totaling 11%. However, the nation's utility-scale PV sector is growing particularly quickly at 872% year-over-year.

2012-11-20 | Courtesy: JPEA; Image: Solar Frontier | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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