The Japanese government has launched two targeted funding programs to accelerate the deployment of lightweight perovskite solar technology and incentivize battery-powered systems to enhance grid resilience and economic viability.
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has begun accepting public applications for two subsidy programs designed to accelerate the early deployment of perovskite solar cells and promote storage parity through integration with batteries. Applications opened starting September 4, 2025, with a deadline in early October.
Separately, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported this week that the subsidies would cover up to 75% of the purchase and installation costs for perovskite solar modules, with additional support for facilities serving as emergency evacuation centers, although it did not cite any sources.
According to the MOE, the first program is the FY 2025 Subsidy for Decarbonization and Economic Transformation, which supports the creation of social implementation models for perovskite solar cells. It targets sites suitable for scalable deployment, including those with high self-consumption rates, proximity to demand centers, or valuable emergency power capabilities.
Eligible projects under the first program must use thin-film type perovskite cells, generate at least 5 kW of power per facility, and be installed at locations with a load capacity of 10 kg/m² or less. Local governments, private companies, and organizations can apply, with a deadline of October 3, 2025.
The second program is the FY 2025 Emission Reduction Subsidy for Private Renewable Energy Projects, which promotes the reduction of solar system costs by supporting the integration of batteries with projects from Program 1 to achieve storage parity. Applicants must install storage systems alongside their perovskite solar deployment. Private companies and organizations can apply until noon Japan Standard Time on October 7, 2025.
Japan has set a target of achieving 20 gigawatts (GW) of installed perovskite solar capacity by 2040, driven by rapid advancements in flexible tandem cells and new manufacturing methods. Industry-led trials are testing lightweight PV modules unsuitable for traditional panels on rooftops, while the government is supporting R&D for solid-state batteries. Recent studies also point to the evolving economics of solar-plus-storage systems equipped with heat pumps across multiple regions.
