Japan approves feed in tariffs

The Japanese government has approved generous green energy feed-in tariffs as part of a drive to significantly expand renewable power generation.

Under the feed-in tariffs, utilities will pay 42 yen (53 U.S. cents) per kilowatt hour for solar-generated electricity and 23 yen per kilowatt hour for wind-generated electricity. The subsidies, designed to encourage individuals and businesses to install solar panels and wind turbines, have been essential in developing a renewable energy sector in countries such as Germany.