Japan's Ricoh to Mass Produce Next-Gen Solar Cells by 2030

Ricoh is bringing its printer expertise to the solar energy revolution, announcing plans to produce next generation perovskite solar cells at gigawatt scale by 2030 in northern Japan.

The imaging and electronics company will use its proprietary inkjet technology to manufacture solar panels that are lighter, more flexible, and more efficient in low light than traditional silicon panels. By precisely controlling microscopic droplets, Ricoh can deposit materials exactly where needed, reducing waste and cutting production costs.

The factory in Shibata will start with several hundred megawatts of annual capacity, with plans to expand to gigawatt scale production. The technology applies the same substrate transport systems used in commercial printing, enabling continuous, high speed manufacturing on roll to roll materials.

Ricoh has been refining this approach since 2017 through partnerships with Japan's space agency JAXA. The company tested its perovskite cells aboard the Denden 01 satellite in 2024 and sent another batch to space in November 2025 for a two month demonstration aboard an unmanned cargo spacecraft.

Those space tests proved the panels can withstand cosmic radiation and generate power in challenging conditions. Now Ricoh is bringing that space tested durability back to Earth for buildings, rooftops, and data centers.

The company joined a five year research project in September 2025 with Daiwa House Industry and NTT Anode Energy to develop installation solutions for logistics facilities and data center walls. The project has backing from Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

Ricoh follows Panasonic, which began commercial sales of glass based perovskite panels last week ahead of mass production starting in April 2029. Both companies are answering Japan's ambitious call to deploy 20 gigawatts of perovskite solar capacity by 2040.

The Ripple Effect

Japan is betting big on homegrown solar innovation. The government is subsidizing early deployment and aims to cut production costs to nine cents per watt by 2030. Starting in fiscal 2027, new subsidy programs will prioritize perovskite and other next generation technologies over conventional silicon panels.

This policy shift does more than advance clean energy. It positions Japan to lead a global industry, creating manufacturing jobs while accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.

The move from office printers to solar panels shows how existing technologies can solve new problems when companies look beyond their traditional markets.

Japan's solar future is taking shape one inkjet droplet at a time.