The Land of the Rising Sun finally sees the light in solar energy

Another confirmation of Japan’s abrupt rejection of nuclear power: sales of photo-voltaic solar panels grew 30% during the first three quarters of 2011 year-on-year.

The Japanese Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) said solar panels with a combined generating capacity of more than one gigawatt were sold domestically from January to September last year.

The rising number of solar panels increased Japan’s total solar power supply to 406.33 MW in Q3 from 311.54 MW in Q3 2010, up 30%.

Solar panel sales in 2011 have been consistent: 258.61 MW in Q1; 347.7 MW in Q2 and over 400 MW in Q3.

Most solar panel sales have been to the residential market. Of the 406.33 MW solar panels sold in Q3 2011, 331.06 MW went to residential installations.

Japanese homes see solar panels as a defense against the inevitable power shortages that will arise once all of Japan’s 20 nuclear plants are shut down. Only one nuclear plant remains operational today.