Solar panels on roofs and verandas are becoming a more familiar sight in Japan as people acquire the systems with help from subsidies amid government efforts to curb carbon dioxide emissions and combat global warming.
In addition to the subsidies from the national and local governments, the increase in solar-cell systems for household power is being driven by utilities' purchases of surplus electricity.
Although power systems generated by wind, waste incineration and fuel batteries are also being promoted, relatively easy to install solar panels are "the most diffusive (alternative) power source in Japan," an official of New Energy Foundation said.