Sales of solar cells in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2012 soared by 146.9% compared with the corresponding period one year earlier, statistics by the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association reveal.

According to the data, domestic shipments between October and December 2012 amounted to 1,003MW. In the same three-month period, Japanese imported solar cells amounted to 342MW whilst solar cell exports reached 111MW.

The surge in domestic sales has been largely attributed to the Japanese subsidy scheme which launched in July 2012. Under the programme, regional energy utilities are able to purchase power from solar energy suppliers at pre-set premiums for up to 20 years.