Present status of research and development on solar cells in Japan

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has promoted a 5-year master plan (JFY2001-2005) for research and development of solar cells and modules in order to achieve the target of 4.82 GW, which is the target of Japanese cumulative photovoltaic installation in JFY2010, and worldwide PV deployment after 2010. Various technologies for reducing manufacturing cost are extensively developed in this project. We report recent status of three main themes in this project. Advanced manufacturing technology is designed as a short-term project which set itself the goal of manufacturing cost of 140 yen/W. Advanced solar cells technology based on a mid-term project and manufacturing cost of 100 yen/W as the object. Innovative PV technology is a long-term project and focused on novel technologies that enables further cost reduction in and beyond the year 2010. (authors)