South Korean regional governments bypass minimum distance guidelines to allow solar PV
Jaebin Choe, renewables permitting team researcher at environmental advocacy organization Solutions for our Climate (SFOC), told pv magazine that some South Korean regional governments have been forced to pass exceptional clauses to allow the construction of solar PV arrays in their municipalities despite federal recommendations. The association claims this represents the ‘biggest bottleneck’ in the country’s solar pursual.
South Korea announces results of latest nationwide solar inspections
The South Korean authorities have identified 5,359 examples of illegal subsidy use for renewable energy plants selected in tenders between 2019 and 2021.
Key takeaways from South Korea’s Green Energy Expo
Green Energy Expo, South Korea’s largest solar event, attracted a higher number of visitors and exhibitors this year, underscoring the strength of the domestic PV industry, despite recent unfavorable regulatory changes.
South Korea to allocate $185 million for renewables rebates in 2023
The South Korean government says its rebates for building-integrated PV (BIPV) systems have gone up from 13.4% to 15%, but its rebates for conventional rooftop PV systems have gone down from 50% to 47%.
SND to open 1 GW factory for TOPCon solar modules in South Korea
SND has announced plans to build a new factory in Gwangju, South Korea. It will also produce panels with an unspecified tandem technology. It plans to open the factory in 2025.
South Korean government begins nationwide inspection on solar parks
South Korean authorities have already identified 2,267 cases of illegal subsidy use for renewable energy plants. They also ascertained that agrivoltaic projects presented as such had no agricultural activities being implemented.
South Korea kicks off 2 GW PV tender
Selected projects will be awarded a fixed rate under a 20-year contract under the country’s renewable energy certificate (REC) scheme and will sell electricity to local power distributors.
South Korea’s first renewables-linked PPA
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.
South Korea’s Kepco to deploy 100MW of highway PV
Korea Electric Power Corp. plans to build solar on highways in two 20MW stages, followed by a third phase, under a government program to facilitate the development of energy-independent roads.
South Korea’s largest PV plant goes online
South Korean energy producer South-East Power has started operating a 150 MW solar plant in South Jeolla province. The project was partly backed by crowdfunding among local residents.
