|
|
7’11~3’13
|
4’13~3’14
|
4’14~3’15
|
|
Residential
(Below 10 kW)
|
¥42/kWh
|
¥38/kWh
|
¥37/kWh
|
|
Non-Residential
(Above 10 kW)
|
¥40/kWh
|
¥36/kWh
|
¥32/kWh
|
In March, Japan announced the new feed-in tariff (FIT) rates
for FY2014, which runs from April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015. The new rate for
residential systems (below 10 kW) is ¥37/kWh. This represents only ¥1/kWh lower
than the last rate, reflecting the end of the residential PV rebate program.
The rate for non-residential systems (above 10 kW) is now
¥32/kWh (excluding tax). This means ¥4/kWh less or 11% reduction from the
previous fiscal year.
Japan launched the much-anticipated feed-in tariff (FIT) on
July 1st 2011, with the goal of accelerating the non-residential
(including utility-scale power generators) segment. Japan shifted its focus to
the non-residential from the residential segment, which built the foundation of
the solar market in Japan.
The Japanese government made a plan to provide attractive FIT
rates for the first three years of the program to encourage investments in the
domestic solar market.
The program offers a full FIT for non-residential systems, requiring
utilities to purchase all electricity generated from solar systems at the
premium rate for 20 years.
For residential system, the program offers a Net FIT,
requiring utilities to buy only excess electricity generated by PV systems at a
premium rate for a period of 10 years. The main reason Japan is implementing
the Net FIT policy – purchasing only excess generated electricity, instead of
purchasing all generated electricity – is to incentivize energy conservation among
homeowners and to limit the program cost burden that is shared by all
electricity ratepayers.