TOKYO: The growth in Japan’s domestic shipments of solar modules slowed to 7.8 percent last fiscal year after more than doubling in the previous corresponding period, data from the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association showed.
Local shipments totaled 9,216 megawatts in the year ended March 31, the association said. That compares with 8,546 megawatts in fiscal 2013.
Demand for solar products for residential rooftops was the strongest part of the market until the introduction of an incentive program for clean energy in July 2012. Since then, large-sized projects have gained favor.
Shipments for industrial and commercial solar such as large-scale stations exceeded those for residential in the October-December period in 2012 and the trend continues, the association said.
For the three months to March 31, domestic module shipments fell 2 percent to 2,709 megawatts from a year ago. The data was compiled from 40 companies such as Panasonic Corp. and Kyocera Corp.
