South Korea

South Korean scientists have built a vertical three-dimensional fiber-optic solar-cell system with greater maximum efficiency than planar solar modules, as well as a lower surface requirement.

Korea Zinc – the world’s largest producer of zinc, lead and silver – has revealed that its Australian renewables unit, Ark Energy, has acquired utility-scale solar developer Epuron Holdings, after obtaining regulatory approvals earlier this week.

Hanwha Q Cells plans to build a 1.4 GW solar panel factory at an undisclosed location in the United States. It has also announced plans to expand its cell capacity to 5.4 GW in South Korea. CEO Justin Lee spoke to reporters at the Smarter E event about the company’s plans and current supply chain issues.

Hanwha’s new PV modules, designed for rooftop applications, are available in two versions: a 400 W product with a power conversion efficiency of 22.3% and a white frame, and a black 395 W module with an efficiency of 22%. For both products, the temperature coefficient is -0.30%.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has revealed that it will subsidize building-integrated photovoltaic projects through a new rebate scheme.

OCI will supply polysilicon from its manufacturing facility in Malaysia, which is expected to have an annual capacity of 35,000 metric tons by the end of June.

Developed by Korean scientists through a novel lift-off-based patterning approach based on swelling-induced crack propagation, the perovskite PV device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.16 V, a short-circuit current density of 22.5 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 77%. With the microcells, the researchers also built a first prototype of a solar window which they claim has vivid colors and high color purity.

Land-scarce South Korea is currently hosting a series of initiatives aimed at deploying solar on unused surfaces. The latest development comes from the city of Suncheon, which will test several photovoltaic railroad noise barriers based on bifacial PV modules.

Korean beauty products supplier Amorepacific has agreed to buy electricity from 5MW of renewables operated by LNG provider SK E&S. The 20-year deal is South Korea’s first step into unsubsidized renewable energy development.

Researchers from Qatar and South Korea have studied the potential of solar cells based on 2D MXenes materials. They said that titanium carbide MXene (Ti3C2Tx) is the most promising material in the MXene family for PV applications.