Installed solar energy capacity in Japan
Japan: Installed solar energy capacity was 89.6 gigawatts in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Installed solar energy capacity in Japan, 2000–2024
Source: IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in gigawatts.
Analysis
Japan recorded 89.6 gigawatts for installed solar energy capacity in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 2.9% on the previous year and up 283.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, installed solar energy capacity in Japan peaked at 89.6 gigawatts in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.33 gigawatts, in 2000.
That places Japan 5th out of 218 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.32 gigawatts | 0.33 gigawatts | 2.63 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2010s | 29.71 gigawatts | 3.62 gigawatts | 63.19 gigawatts | 10 |
| 2020s | 82 gigawatts | 71.87 gigawatts | 89.6 gigawatts | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More energy & mining data for Japan
- Fuel imports 19.6% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 7.0% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 3.6% (2025)
- Gas production 22.04 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 178.13 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 22.04 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 178.13 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fuel exports 1.2% (2025)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 4.9% (2024)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 55.1% (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is installed solar energy capacity in Japan?
- Installed solar energy capacity in Japan was 89.6 gigawatts in 2024, according to IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest installed solar energy capacity recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 89.6 gigawatts in 2024.
- What is the lowest installed solar energy capacity recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.33 gigawatts in 2000.
- How does Japan rank for installed solar energy capacity?
- Japan ranks 5th out of 218 countries with data for 2024.
- Is installed solar energy capacity rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 283.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Installed solar energy capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total solar (on- and off-grid) electricity installed capacity, measured in gigawatts. This includes solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar power.