Tokyo

Reports recommend that the Tokyo metropolitan government will certainly begin joint research study with a major Japanese chemical manufacturer on perovskite-based solar cells, that are film-thin, lightweight and bendable, as part of its efforts to promote the use of renewable resource.

VPP Japan will provide equipment free of charge, offering 20% lower costs

Scientists at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a carbon nanotube which forms a strong junction with a lead-halide perovskite, improving performance and stability.

An international team of researchers led by the University of Tokyo has discovered a new material which, when rolled into a nanotube, generates an electric current if exposed to light. If magnified and scaled up, say the scientists, the technology could be used in future high-efficiency solar devices.

The Japanese utility will set up a new, separate company early next year to oversee its renewables generation business, but says it remains committed to developing 6-7 GW of new projects in the years ahead.