Overview on thermal application of solar energy in Japan

Abstract Recent development and progress of solar thermal application in Japan are reviewed. Under the national programme, “Sunshine Project”, solar heating and cooling technology and solar thermal power generation have been promoted since 1974. R&D activities of wide varieties such as both active and passive heating and cooling, DHW systems, solar desalination, solar pond, solar thermal power production, solar thermal power-process heat hybrid system, industrial process heat application, etc. have been deployed by many government research institutions, universities and private sectors in this decade. Further, the government role on solar thermal application is to promote commercialization of solar heating, cooling and DHW systems, agricultural use, standardization and certification programmes, besides funding the basic R,D and Demonstration projects while Japan Solar Energy Society reorganized in 1975 has made her academic efforts steadily.