Japan potentially has twice as much solar capability as Germany, but...

[Art_from_Ark]

According to Japan Today:

"If Japan managed to connect all the sun-powered capacity to utilities' tightly controlled grids, the total would be almost double that of Germany, the world's biggest user of solar power with installed capacity of 35.7 gigawatts at the end of 2013. "

However, only 14% of the government's goal of 68 gigawatts of solar generation has been achieved so far. Although the Japanese government has been trying to encourage the use of renewable energy sources, three of the nation's electric power monopolies are resisting the inclusion of renewables, such solar power in their grids. Kyushu Electric has now joined Hokkaido Electric Power Company and Okinawa Electric Power Company in placing limitations on solar projects, and who knows how many others will follow.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/kyushu-electric-shuts-off-renewable-suppliers-from-grid

[nationalize the fed]

1. Apparently they're catching on

Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Power Plant by Kyocera

Look what they've done in 2 years

Ever heard of Mio Yuki?

[Art_from_Ark]

2. Unfortunately, the Kagoshima power plant would feed into Kyushu Electric

From the article in my link, it sounds like that plant is going to be cut off from Kyushu Electric's grid (although I hope that it can be used independently)

"Kyushu Electric Power Co said on Thursday it would cut access to its grid for renewable energy suppliers, the third of Japan's 10 regional monopolies to place limits on their cleaner energy intake because of network limitations."

[Downwinder]

3. Japan should be able to generate all the power they need

by tidal and wave action. That does not stop when the sun goes down.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. The technology for wave power is still largely undeveloped

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_power

And tidal energy is only exploitable on a large scale in certain places. So, the UK - an island nation like Japan, says:

Wave and tidal stream energy has the potential to meet up to 20% of the UK’s current electricity demand, representing a 30-to-50 gigawatt (GW) installed capacity.

https://www.gov.uk/wave-and-tidal-energy-part-of-the-uks-energy-mix

It's very unlikely Japan could generate all its electricity from wave and tides.

[ladjf]

5. Well, that strategy by Japan's large power companies sounds familiar.

Once again, greed trumps intelligence . What would it take for the World to wakeup to the realities of power generation.