Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Japan
Japan: Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity was 89.6 gigawatts in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Japan, 2000–2024
Source: IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in gigawatts.
Analysis
Japan recorded 89.6 gigawatts for solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.9% on the previous year and up 283.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Japan peaked at 89.6 gigawatts in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.33 gigawatts, in 2000.
Japan ranks 5th of 194 countries on this measure, 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 solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Japan?
- Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity in Japan was 89.6 gigawatts in 2024, according to IRENA (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 89.6 gigawatts in 2024.
- What is the lowest solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.33 gigawatts in 2000.
- How does Japan rank for solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative capacity?
- Japan ranks 5th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative 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 Solar (photovoltaic) panels cumulative 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
Solar photovoltaic (on-grid) electricity installed capacity, measured in gigawatts.