A155Japan is leading the world in solar power generation, the technology of converting sunlight into electricity. According to the lEA, by the end of 2004 the capacity of the world's solar energy power generation plants was 2.596 million kilowatts. Japan's solar energy power generation capacity was 1.132 million kilowatt, which figure is similar to that of a large nuclear power plant. The figure represents 43.6% of world capacity, placing Japan in number one position. The government's policy of subsidizing the introduction of this type of power generation appears to be having an impact. In second place is Germany with 794,000 kilowattS, followed by the United States with 365,000 kilowatts.