Predicting the Future: “The Biggest Challenge Will Be to Make Use of the Heat and Light of the Sun”

Tokuji had a great interest in using solar energy. He spoke of its value and predicted its commercialization: “If we could find a way of generating electricity from limitless solar heat and light, that would benefit humankind to an extent we can scarcely imagine…” In 1959, he got word that the company’s research department had successfully developed a prototype of a solar cell. It is reported that he himself stepped into the small laboratory and encouraged them to continue research in depth. Today, solar power generation has expanded greatly, from residential uses to mega-solar power generating projects, and is on the verge of becoming one solution to the world’s energy problems. We are well on our way to achieving the future that Tokuji envisioned.