As more and more countries try to find ways to combat pollution, they are turning to solar power. Japan has announced an aggressive plan to build a new solar power plant that will be one of the largest in the world when complete. The new solar power system is expected to provide energy to more than 80,000 homes.

The new facility is expected to open in 2018, and it will be the biggest in all of Japan. GE plans to bankroll part of the $80 billion project, covering between 12 and 25 percent of the project costs. This isn’t GE’s first foray into the world of solar power. It has been involved in several projects in the US and Europe in the past.

What is remarkable about the move in Japan is how it is signaling global efforts by governments to make the switch to renewable power. Considering the alarming amount of pollution in densely populated regions throughout the world, the switch to solar is the responsible—and affordable—move for many countries big and small. For Japan, the trend of solar power is gaining a lot of traction in light of the events at Fukishima. Though solar power only accounts for one percent of the country’s energy use right now, that number is expected to grow. This makes the new solar power plant a potentially lucrative investment for GE and other investors.

This new solar power system shows that more nations are interested in renewable energy as a reliable alternative to more harmful energy sources. Both affordable and efficient, solar energy is quickly gaining popularity as a trusted energy source.