Tokyo government requires new detached homes to have rooftop solar panels. (Photo: iStock)
To increase the proportion of renewable energy generation, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will set a precedent by requiring new detached homes to install rooftop solar panels.
This new regulation is expected to apply to one out of every two newly constructed buildings, but the high installation costs have raised concerns that it may further drive up local housing prices.
New detached homes must have solar panels starting April
Tokyo's goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with plans to increase the share of renewable energy generation to 50% by 2030. However, due to limited land space, it is difficult to implement large-scale renewable energy facilities. Therefore, under the leadership of Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, from April 2025, all newly constructed detached homes will be required to have rooftop solar power systems.
According to the new regulation, large developers must install solar panels on new residential buildings with a total floor area of less than 2,000 square meters. Buildings with roof areas smaller than 20 square meters, or those unable to install solar panels due to lighting or ventilation issues, will be exempt from the requirement. About 50 developers are expected to be affected.
If they fail to comply, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will raise awareness by publishing the names of the developers, but no specific penalties are outlined.
Data from the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO) shows that the electricity demand in Tokyo Electric Power Company’s service area is expected to grow by 9.4% over the next 10 years. Tokyo has approximately 2.25 million buildings suitable for solar panel installation, but the actual installation rate is only 4.2%.
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Tokyo has approximately 2.25 million buildings suitable for solar panel installation, but the actual installation rate is only 4.2%. (Photo: Pixabay)
Tokyo plans to offer a solar panel leasing subsidy
In order to alleviate the financial burden of installation costs, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to offer a solar panel leasing subsidy totaling 30.1 billion yen (190 million USD).
However, this additional expenditure still places significant pressure on potential homebuyers, and there are concerns that it could continue to push up Tokyo's housing prices.
According to real estate research company Tokyo Kantei, the average price of newly built detached homes in Tokyo in November 2024 was 55.2 million yen (350,000 USD), marking a 2% increase from the previous month, and an 18% rise compared to five years ago.
Source: Nikkei Asia, Kyoto News, The Japan News
