TOKYO - Japan has decided to work with the European Union to develop next-generation photovoltaic technologies as part of their efforts to combat climate change, industry ministry officials said Friday.
Japan and the European Union will cooperate in developing photovoltaic cells that would be 40 percent more efficient in power generation but cost about one-sixth of the current average price of 46 yen per kilowatt hour, the officials said.
The other areas in which Japan and the European Union will launch joint development projects are related to rechargeable batteries, and carbon capture and storage technologies, they said.
As to batteries for electric cars, they will aim for a running capacity of 500 kilometres per full charge and lower their market prices to one-40th of current levels.
Through the cooperation, Japan and the European Union will try to make such advanced technologies commercially available by 2030 or later, the officials said.
© 2009 Kyodo World News Service
