In each latest research note, BNEF says the acceleration of the Japanese solar market can largely be attributed to an incentive program that offers above-market rates for energy from renewable sources.
Bloomberg's analysts believe commercial and utility-scale projects will boost solar installations to a range of between 6.1 GW and 9.4 GW in 2013 -- nearly twice the level foreseen in an earlier forecast.
“The upward revision was done because of the rapid increase in shipments seen last quarter as well as the fact that the pipeline of projects is even stronger than previously expected,” the BNEF note said.
Japan in July began offering incentives through feed-in tariffs to encourage investments in energy sources such as wind and solar.
"The forecast reflects the push by Japan to find alternative sources of energy following the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, which prompted the closure of all but two of the nation’s nuclear reactors," Bloomberg said.
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