GreenergyDaily

Dec. 25, 2025

The Japanese government will tighten regulations and end financial support for large-scale solar power projects to protect the natural environment, ensure safety and preserve landscapes, government officials said.

The move is part of a package of countermeasures targeting mega-scale solar farms endorsed on Tuesday and aligns with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's stance calling for limits on large solar projects. She has argued that many panels are made overseas, notably in China, and that mega-solar installations risk damaging Japan's scenery and natural environment.

The government is considering discontinuing support through the feed-in tariff (FIT) and feed-in premium (FIP) schemes for ground-mounted, large-scale commercial solar power generation starting in the fiscal year beginning in April 2027, an official at the industry ministry said.

Details, such as the exact project size threshold for terminating support will be finalised later, the official said.

Support for existing facilities and residential installations will continue, while backing for the development of perovskite solar cells will be strengthened. Perovskite solar cells are a next-generation solar technology developed by Japan and the government aims to promote the development.

The government will also consider expanding the scope of environmental assessments. Currently, solar projects under 30 megawatts are not subject to national assessments, but it will consider broadening this requirement, another official at the environment ministry said.