Highways in Japan Are Becoming Part of the Renewable Energy Plan

Metaverse Planet

December 5, 2025

Japan aims to increase its renewable energy capacity by testing solar technologies integrated into the road surface under real usage conditions. The first tests will take place at roadside facilities.

Japan is accelerating its efforts to integrate road infrastructure into renewable energy production. The country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced that it has launched a new call for solar panel technologies integrated into the road surface.

With the application process, the goal is to test these systems in environments close to real usage conditions. The Ministry stated that in previous trials, cracks were detected on surfaces due to the heavy load created by vehicle passage, and therefore, new field tests will be conducted only in light-load areas open to pedestrian use.

Energy Will Also Be Produced on Roads Under the new program, the performance, durability, and production efficiency of PV panels will be measured through projects implemented specifically at roadside facilities. Social usage scenarios will also be simulated using the electricity produced in these areas. Thus, how lighting, small-scale charging units, and other local energy needs can be met will be evaluated.

Solar energy applications integrated into the road surface and roadside are gaining strength in Japan. During the week, AirWater and Luxor Solar, the Japanese branch of Germany-based Luxor Solar GmbH, announced that they installed vertical PV systems in some parking lots in the country and commissioned them under power purchase agreements (PPA).

This trend is not limited to Japan; similar projects are spreading rapidly in Europe as well. Luxembourg enacted new regulations permitting solar energy along highway sides in November. Poland began testing PV arrays next to major highways mid-year. Efforts to integrate solar energy into transportation infrastructure in different regions of the world are drawing attention. In August, Ko-Solar and Germany-based R. Kohlhauer announced plans to construct PV-integrated noise barriers along highway corridors in the USA. In China, provincial governments are rapidly increasing solar installations across a wide network, including tunnels, service areas, and road slopes.

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