Japan took the lead as the world 's largest producer of PV electricity , after the city of Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995 . Kobe experienced severe power outages in the aftermath of the earthquake , and PV systems were then considered as a temporary supplier of power during such events , as the disruption of the electric grid paralyzed the entire infrastructure , including gas stations that depended on electricity to pump gasoline . Moreover , in December of that same year , an accident occurred at the multibillion-dollar experimental Monju Nuclear Power Plant . A sodium leak caused a major fire and forced a shutdown ( classified as INES 1 ) . There was massive public outrage when it was revealed that the semigovernmental agency in charge of Monju had tried to cover up the extent of the accident and resulting damage . Japan remained world leader in photovoltaics until 2004 , when its capacity amounted to 1,132 megawatts . Then , focus on PV deployment shifted to Europe
Great Hanshin earthquake
Great Hanshin earthquake
Growth of photovoltaics