Solar power is in the spotlight as concerns over global warming mount. Many European countries, especially Germany, as well as Japan and others have embraced solar technologies as a green alternative to fossil fuels.
Although Japanese companies are the world leaders in solar cell technologies, others are rushing to capitalize on the strong demand for such clean energy.
About 5 percent of Japanese households are equipped with solar panels. Raising that figure is key to the nation's efforts to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal under the Japan-brokered Kyoto Protocol. Following are some questions and answers on solar power: