Japan adds 1,178 MW of renewable energy
New RE capacity added in the nine months to December 2012.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Japan added 1,119 MW in solar energy to the 4,800 MW already installed. Wind rose by 34 MW and biomass, 22 MW.
Japan began an incentive program for clean energy in July 2012 to boost use of RE after the Fukushima atomic disaster. The ministry approved applications for above-market rates for clean energy worth 5,236 MW until the end of December, including 3,857 MW for non-residential solar.
The northern island of Hokkaido accounted for 26% of approved applications by capacity for solar plants 1 MW or larger, the most among Japan’s 47 prefectures.