The fourth report adopted by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on November 17 pointed out: “In order to curb global warming, efforts and investments over the next 20 to 30 years are very important.” The development of global warming measures is imminent, and solar cells are expected to become the largest candidate for reducing greenhouse gases.
Japan was once a global leader in the development of solar cells. Solar cells have also been “after more than 50 years of development and have now reached a new starting line” since Pearson invented the monocrystalline silicon solar cells in 1954. (The former president of Sanyo Electric, the Solar Energy Technology Research Alliance Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Sang Ye.
Sang Ye said that 1954-1991 was the "dawn period" for solar cells in clocks and calculators. From 1992 to 2006, it was the "initial period for the use of electricity" in which individual houses began to use solar power systems. In the 30 years after 2007, It is a "global development period", and from now on it will be the time to decide the outcome. The fact that has been confirmed in the past 50 years is that "the conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells in the past 50 years has increased by 4 times for crystalline products, 10 times for amorphous products, and the cost has been reduced to about 1/100. The power generation system capable of selling electricity has passed Verification, reliability has reached more than 20 years" (Sangye).
In this period of about 50 years, Japan has led the world in the field of R&D and practical application, and it has also relied on the government's residential solar cell auxiliary system to go ahead in the world. However, the supporting system was terminated in 2005, while European countries led by Germany expanded the popularity through the establishment of a solar power purchasing system. China also successively involved in solar battery business with the support of the government and surpassed the global market share. Japanese manufacturers have more and more overseas manufacturers.
Sang Ye said that in order to make Japan once again become a leader in solar cells, "it is necessary to formulate ambitious goals again, and officials and civilians should cooperate in R&D and re-establish universal measures." Recently, a well-known US investment fund also said: "Solar cells are worth investing in. We are willing to provide assistance for the strength of Japanese companies." In order not to be in a post-emptive position like semiconductors and liquid crystals, Japan needs to make the most of these forces and make concerted efforts for the nationwide “recovery of solar battery leadership” as soon as possible.