Foreign Media: Japan to Tighten Regulations on Large-Scale Photovoltaic Projects to Protect the Natural Environment and Scenery
The Japanese government has decided to strengthen oversight of "super photovoltaic" (large-scale ground-mounted solar power stations) projects and gradually phase out financial support, in order to protect the natural environment, ensure safety, and maintain the landscape. This policy was approved on December 24th and is one of the comprehensive measures against large-scale photovoltaic power stations, consistent with Prime Minister Takahashi Sanae's position of limiting large-scale photovoltaic development.
She pointed out that many solar panels rely on overseas production (especially China), and large-scale projects may damage Japan's natural scenery. The government plans to stop supporting large-scale commercial ground-mounted photovoltaic projects through fixed feed-in tariffs (FIT) and premium feed-in tariffs (FIP) starting from the 2027 fiscal year (April 2027). The specific scale threshold will be determined separately. Existing facilities and residential rooftop photovoltaics will continue to receive support, while also increasing support for Japan's independently developed perovskite solar cells.
In addition, the government is also considering expanding the scope of environmental impact assessments. Currently, projects below 30 megawatts do not require national-level assessment, but this may change in the future. This policy may further slow down Japan's renewable energy development pace against the backdrop of rising costs affecting offshore wind power.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1852450894695440/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.