The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has released PV project business plan approval information under the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program and the Feed-in Premium (FIP) program* as of April 30, 2022. The cumulative number and approved capacity of PV projects remained flat with 444,056 projects and 63,535 MW, respectively. Of these, 12 PV projects with a total capacity of 10,879 kW were approved in April 2022.The approved capacity by capacity range is as follows:

-20kW – < 50kW: 0 project, 0kW

-500kW: 4 projects, 1,450kW

-500kW – < 1,000kW: 4 projects, 3,130kW

-1,000kW – <2,000kW: 4 projects, 6,299kW

-2,000kW and more: 0 project, 0kW

By the service areas of electric companies, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) area accounted for the largest number and capacity of 7 projects with 5,830 kW, followed by Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) area with 2 projects, 3,049 kW. Top 2 areas accounted for 82% of the total.

By prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture accounted for the largest number and capacity of 2 projects with 3,049 kW), followed by Saitama Prefecture with 2 projects, 2,130 kW and Gunma Prefecture with 2 projects, 2,100 kW. Top three prefectures accounting for 67% of the total.

Looking at individual approved projects of 1,000 kW or more, the largest project was Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER) (Hyogo Prefecture)’s project with 1,999 kW. This project is the winning bid for the tenth tender of PV projects.

*RTS analyzed data downloaded at around 08:45 on July 27, 2022. The released data applies to projects with generation capacity of 20 kW or more. Information on renewable energy projects that have been newly approved as of April 30, 2022, or have completed the transition process to the new scheme (this time, information is as of March 31, 2022, for applications for new approval or applications for approval of changein paper-based media and prior/post change notifications, etc.)