Japan is getting tough on large-scale solar farms amid a rising wave of local backlash and resistance. What the Japanese call “megasolar power plants” now face criticism from both communities and local authorities, prompting the national government to slow the proliferation of such utility-scale renewable facilities.

“Megasolar” refers to facilities with more than 1 MW total capacity, accounting for about 7,000 solar farms out of the country’s nearly 15,000 in total. Concerns over environmental degradation and impact on disaster prevention measures have led to the phasing out of state support for large-scale power plants, leaving such projects reliant entirely on the market.

Does this mean that Japan’s solar sector has entered an era of decline? Not at all. Currently, the nation’s installed solar capacity amounts to nearly 100 GW, the world’s No. 4. Even the recent market slowdown, which saw just 5.5 GW of solar installed in 2025, still ranked Japan in the global Top 10. And the national decarbonization strategy has only increased solar’s targets, aiming for a 23–29% share of the power mix by 2040.

Putting the brakes on megasolar is taking place amid the backdrop of an acceleration of old and new solar solutions – expanding rooftop residential solar installations; and even more importantly, developing innovative panel technologies such as perovskite solar cell (PSC) thin-film technology.

Thanks to their flexibility, PSCs can be installed on a wide array of buildings, and since the tech is domestically produced, it could help Japan meet its energy independence goals. Finally, from a political point of view, PSCs are welcomed since they can be installed in urban centers and do not incite local opposition while offering high energy yields. Prime Minister Takaichi is a strong supporter of PSCs, guaranteeing that this tech’s future will be bright under her administration.