Japan and Australia Residential Photovoltaic Markets Grow Strong in 2009 Jul 7, 2010

Printable format  Email this Article  Search

Asia Pacific photovoltaic markets are poised to make a significant contribution to global photovoltaic (PV) market growth in 2010 following improvements in the policy environment in most of the key countries in this region, according to market research firm Solarbuzz.

Key emerging country markets - China, India, South Korea, and Australia – along with the long established Japanese market, contributed 0.9 GW of installations in 2009, or 12% of world demand.

While policy changes led to demand reduction in South Korea in 2009, the PV markets in all five countries are now expected to show growth in 2010.

“Japan is set for very strong growth in 2010 with clearly set-out new incentives for photovoltaics,” said Craig Stevens, president of the market research firm.

2009 saw Japan's domestic market more than double in 2009 to 477 MW, thanks to the re-launch of a nationwide residential incentive program and the introduction of a Japanese version of a Feed-In Tariff (FIT). As of December 2009, over 400 prefecture and municipal governments offered residential PV support programs, including subsidies, loans, and utility buy-back schemes.

Australian residential PV demand drove the market in 2009, growing 222% year-on-year to 74 MW. Eighty percent of the 2009 capacity installed was for on-grid residential use.

Back to Daily News