Japan's Market for Small Wind Power Systems Growing Rapidly

Yano Research Institute Ltd. released a report on its analysis of the Japanese wind power system market on June 9, 2005, projecting rapid growth in the market for small wind power systems (under 20 kilowatts) in the near future.

The market of small wind power systems reached 2,261 million yen (U.S.$20 million) in total sales in fiscal 2003, with 3,972 units sold. In fiscal 2008 sales will grow to 13,804 units, worth 14,327 million yen (U.S.$127 million), the institute said. The most popular will be hybrid lighting systems below 500 watts, which use wind power, solar power, and secondary batteries. Their sales are expected to increase to meet rising demand in the areas of environmental "publicity," crime prevention/security, and disaster preparedness.

As people have become more environmentally aware, small wind power systems have attracted much attention and become more familiar. Their use, mainly by municipal governments, has been increasing, and about 80 companies have entered the Japanese market with their new products.

Meanwhile, the market for medium and large wind power generation systems (over 20 kilowatts) was expected to increase eight percent from fiscal 2003 to fiscal 2004, but the market in fiscal 2005 is predicted to be 12 percent smaller than in fiscal 2003. Wind turbines will be getting larger because of higher power generation efficiency, and most sales in fiscal 2005 are expected to be systems more than one megawatt.

http://www.yanoresearch.com/

Posted: 2005/11/23 08:43:08 PM
Japanese version