Message｜Symbol & Logo

Solar power generation is a clean energy source that contributes to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As of the end of 2019, the amount of PV installed in Japan is approximately 63 GW, which is the world's largest amount per land area. And it is strongly expected to play a major role as a main power source in a decarbonized energy system centered on renewable energy by 2050.
In order to actually fulfill this role, further mass deployment of at least 150 GW, and in the long term, 300 GW of solar power generation, is required. However, Japan, with its limited land area, will eventually face constraints on the amount of PV power that can be introduced if current technologies are extended. Therefore, it is important to "expand the range of use" of PV, and innovation of technology and renewal of the system that can respond to various new areas created by social transformation, including the fields of energy for daily life, production, and transportation, are required. In addition to the development of value-added modules from the viewpoint of end users that can meet diverse demands, installation sites, and services, the related areas will continue to expand, including sophisticated energy management, power grid reinforcement, and the smart grid. Therefore, we must make utmost efforts to realize innovation by combining the wisdom of a wide range of academic fields related to PV.
Against this backdrop, we have decided to establish the Japan Photovoltaic Society (J-PVS) with the aim of contributing to the realization and development of a future decarbonized society by promoting research in academic fields related to photovoltaics and disseminating the results of such research.
The Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the J-PVS consists of members of the 175th JSPS University-Industry Cooperative Research Committee, which has been active for three terms of 16 years (2004-2019). During these three terms of 16 years, strategic research and development has been actively conducted under the R&D roadmap formulated by the committee members in an industry-academia cooperative framework. As a result, many world-class achievements have been produced, including significant improvements in the conversion efficiency of various solar cells and the commercialization of novel solar cell module manufacturing. In addition, through the organization of domestic symposiums, meetings, tours, and other subcommittee activities, the operation of international conferences, and the holding of workshops with other countries, we have worked to activate and advance domestic research and development, foster human resources, and build an international cooperative system, forming a strong community of industry, government, and academia. As a result, the committee has more than fulfilled its purpose of providing government support for industry-academia collaboration in budding research areas, and the committee has decided to take a new step forward by dissolving the committee through a resolution of the general meeting of the committee.
As the only academic society in Japan that covers a wide range of academic fields related to PV, the J-PVS will organize symposiums, subcommittees, seminars, tours, and other events, as well as conduct human resource development, educational projects, collaboration with overseas academic organizations, and provide various member services, including comprehensive information provision. As is clear from the purpose of its establishment, the J-PVS invites participation from researchers in interdisciplinary and wide-ranging academic fields related to photovoltaics, including physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, energy science, energy policy studies, informatics, meteorology, and urban engineering. We also invite companies and organizations that are interested in realizing a decarbonized society, such as electronics, materials, chemistry, electric power, transportation, energy, construction, finance, etc., to understand the purpose and participate widely.

This symbol was inspired by sunrise and bonsai. The symbol expresses the skillful techniques and refined attention to detail that only the Japanese people can offer. It is filled with the aspirations of the members of the society, who aim to create a delicate craftsmanship that is uniquely Japanese and cannot be imitated overseas. The three circles symbolizing the sun, the earth, and energy represent the wisdom and thoughts of various people and their overlapping efforts to create solar power generation. The curved line running down the middle is based on the pictogram of power generation, expressing how electric power is created through the wisdom and thoughts of people.
The J-PVS commissioned Hitomi Design Studio Ltd. to create the symbol, which was designed by industrial designer Hitomi Terakawa.