According to the Nikkei business daily, Japan is considering a plan that would require solar panels on all new buildings and homes by 2030.  Prime Minister Naoto Kan will likely reveal the details of the plan on Thursday when he speaks at the G8 Summit in France to prove their commitment to renewable energy development.

Kan sees the plan as a way to encourage technological innovation that will bring down the cost of renewable energy projects and make them more widespread across Japan.

It's likely that the timing of this new plan is meant to be a counter balance to Kan's expected announcement that Japan will continue operating nuclear plants after their safety and stability is confirmed.

via AFP