‘2023 Solar Market Insight (PVMI)’, a global solar energy conference, will be held at EXCO in Daegu for two days from Wednesday, April 4th to Thursday, April 12th. This conference, held under the theme of ‘The future of solar power generation for RE13 implementation’, covers global solar power market trends, △solar power policy △solar power finance △solar power technology △agricultural solar power △floating solar power △urban The latest information, including building-type solar power, will be revealed.
This year’s PVMI will also feature officials from global professional organizations such as Bloomberg, EIRP (Energy Innovation Reform Project), and ESMC (European Solar Manufacturing Consortium). In addition, officials from major institutions such as the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Hanwha Solutions, Hanwha Convergence, and Amore Pacific are scheduled to participate as speakers in each session.
We met with Jeong Woo-sik, full-time vice president of the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association, who has participated as a speaker at the annual PVMI and presented diagnosis of the solar energy market and solutions to problems, to hear about the outlook for this year’s energy industry and the impact of PVMI on the industry. In an interview, he emphasized, “We must actively prepare for the coming solar Big Bang era.”
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Head: Please introduce the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association.
A. Vice President Jeong Woo-sik: The Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association is an organization founded in 2008. We are carrying out projects such as communication between companies active in the solar energy industry, development of government policies, improvement of awareness of renewable energy, promotion and education related to renewable energy, and development of overseas markets.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Director: I heard that a special solar power pavilion for industrial complexes will be held at the 20th International Green Energy Expo. What kind of technology is industrial complex solar power, and is it competitive?
A. Vice Chairman Jeong Woo-sik: Solar power in industrial complexes is the optimal solution without the three difficulties that hinder the spread of so-called renewable energy, such as civil complaints, environmental destruction, and opening problems. In addition, it has five advantages that can contribute to strengthening RE100 and ESG corporate competitiveness, rapidly expanding the supply of renewable energy, improving local energy independence, reducing greenhouse gases, and revitalizing the local economy.
In particular, the potential for dissemination is enormous. Considering the current level of technology for solar energy products and the level of EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) method, it is possible to supply 8 kilowatt (kW) per 1 square meters (㎡). By 2030 it will be at least 5 kilowatt per 1 square metres.
Converting this to pyeong, it means that when 8 kW per 1 square meters is supplied, 2,400 megawatt (MW) of solar power can be supplied to approximately 2,500 to 1 pyeong. When 5 kilowatt per 1 square meters is supplied, 1,500 megawatt can be supplied per 1 pyeong, which can be achieved around 2030.
If the technology level of 2030 is applied, at least 57 gigawatts (GW) of solar power can be distributed. Carbon neutrality must be achieved by 2050, and applying this level of technology will be of great help. In this way, industrial complex solar power can be said to be a ‘golden fishery for supply’ with enormous supply potential.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Director: How will the special solar power pavilion for industrial complexes in the 20th International Green Energy Expo be organized?
A. Vice Chairman Jeong Woo-sik: The industrial complex special hall is operated jointly by Daegu Metropolitan City (Mayor Hong Jun-pyo), EXCO (CEO Sang-gil Lee), and the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association. We plan to display everything about the industrial complex solar system at a glance through the industrial complex solar power model.
It encompasses all related information and technologies, including modules, BIPV, inverters, roof structures (repair and renewal materials), power generation increase and precise prediction solutions, construction, O&M, power generation business, and power trading. Additionally, industrial complex rooftop solar power hardware and software will be exhibited.
It will be operated together with leading industrial complex solar energy companies. It is expected that 4 to 5 people will visit the Green Energy Expo, and if you look at the viewing route, they will inevitably pass by the industrial complex solar power special hall. Therefore, many people will be able to come and see with their own eyes the potential, technology, and effects of industrial complex solar power.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Head of Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters: In Korea, large corporations are taking the lead in carrying out the RE100 campaign. There are criticisms that it is difficult for small and medium-sized businesses to participate. Can using solar power in industrial complexes help?
A. Vice Chairman Jeong Woo-sik: Industrial complex solar power has potential and advantages. However, it has not been properly distributed nationwide until now. It is estimated that it is less than 1 gigawatt. Although it is the optimal location to install solar power, many obstacles are encountered during the process.
Because of this situation, the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association has organized a debate at the National Assembly and plans to summarize and propose to the government and the National Assembly a list of regulatory improvements and policy support measures for revitalizing solar power in industrial complexes. The purpose is to create conditions for vitalization of supply.
If an incentive system is established, it will become a stepping stone for those who wish to actually install it. Industrial complex photovoltaic business model that meets the realization of RE100 is needed. Currently, it is centered on the rental model, but in the future, a model for self-generation (direct installation of renewable energy facilities for private use) is needed.
Only by building it can large corporations and industrial complex factory owners who have declared RE100 participate in the global trend through self-generation. Participation in this expo also has the purpose of forming a consensus on solar power business models for industrial complexes and presenting new models.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Head: In order to spread agricultural solar power, we need to persuade many residents. The same goes for floating solar power. Building-type solar power also suffers from frequent complaints. In this respect, industrial solar power appears to be somewhat free.
A. Woosik Jung, Vice President: Yes. In particular, the most worrisome parts in the supply of renewable energy and solar power are civil complaints over the opening or separation distance, resident acceptance, licensing issues, and environmental destruction controversy. However, it can be said that industrial complex solar power is free from the various hurdles described above.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Head: The new and renewable energy industry seems to be shrinking under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Can industrial complexes be revitalized with solar power?
A. Vice President Jeong Woo-sik: The association also has such expectations. The solar energy market and industry are facing significant difficulties as the Yoon Seok-yeol administration goes through the process of expanding nuclear power plants and adjusting renewable energy.
The Solar Energy Industry Association and industry experts are working together. Coincidentally, Daegu City and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province announced plans to promote industrial complex solar power. We are hopeful that this will be a new avenue for the shrinking solar energy market and industry.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Head: I will participate as a speaker at the ‘2023 Solar Power Market Insight (PVMI)’ held simultaneously with the International Green Energy Expo. Let me introduce what we will focus on this year.
A. Vice Chairman Jeong Woo-sik: We plan to present the current status and trends of the solar energy industry. We will introduce the global solar energy market, industry trends, and prospects, and review the current status and trends of the domestic solar energy market. Through this, we plan to discuss how the solar energy market and industry will progress in the future.
It will also be announced what policies will be appropriate for the spread of solar energy and revitalization of the industry. Since presentation time is limited, we are preparing to convey the message well.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Director: What are the barriers that must be overcome to ‘expand solar energy and renewable energy’?
A. Vice Chairman Jeong Woo-sik: The biggest obstacle to the spread of solar power in Korea is the separation distance regulation. 129 local governments have solar power separation distance regulations. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has announced guidelines for adjusting the separation distance, but it is difficult to gauge their effectiveness because local governments must accept them.
If the separation distance is applied, the space where solar power can be distributed is less than 1% in a certain city. I believe that the separation distance regulation is putting a brake on the spread of solar power. When the relevant ordinances are revised or abolished, space will be available to additionally supply up to 300 gigawatts of solar power.
The industry is arguing that Korea’s deformed separation distance regulation should be abolished. The second is the opening problem. In the past, due to a lack of lines, there was a delay in access even if permission for a solar power generation project was granted.
Currently, it has become difficult to even pursue the solar power project itself. This is because it does not open. I believe that the two major obstacles described above need to be urgently improved. If there is no improvement, I expect that we will experience great difficulties.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Director: Solar Market Insight has been held for over 10 years, and has already established itself as a full-fledged international conference in the global market. It is evaluated that it is having a significant impact on the establishment of domestic solar energy policy and the legislative activities of members of the National Assembly.
A. Vice Chairman Jeong Woo-sik: The PVMI conference is a conference that represents Korea and has symbolism globally. The research results of academic experts are concentrated and are evaluated as being at an international level. In particular, it has the advantage of being able to identify market trends.
However, there are limitations in linking it to government policy and directly applying it to actual markets and industries. In that respect, the organizers are also having a lot of concerns. I believe that more efforts should be made to ensure that the excellent research results and policy proposals presented at PVMI are reflected in government policies and systems.
Q. Hyeong-dong Hyeong-dong, Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters Head: What is the main project of the Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association this year?
A. Woosik Jeong, Vice President: We are trying to do various activities. First of all, we will set up discussions and exhibition halls to promote the supply of solar energy in industrial complexes. 2023 is seen as the year of industrial complex solar power. We will continue our activities so that industrial complex solar power can be supplied and spread.
We will also focus on activities such as promoting the Korean version of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the National Strategic Solar Industry Act. The European Union (EU) recently announced the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), also known as the European version of IRA, and the Carbon Neutral Industry Act (NZIA). Through this, efforts are being made to strengthen the ecosystem centered on solar renewable energy and secure leadership internationally.
All over the world, solar energy has been designated as a national strategic technology and is being promoted. We must prepare for the ‘solar energy big bang’ era starting in 2025. The first step is the enactment of the Korean version of the IRA, the Solar Power National Strategic Industry Act. We will focus our efforts this year on two pieces of legislation.
In addition, we will make efforts at the association level to secure the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing companies in difficult times. We plan to help domestic companies pioneer and enter overseas markets. There is too much to do. I think this year is a very important year.
Meanwhile, the global solar power conference ‘2023 Solar Power Market Insight (PVMI)’ will be held for two days from Wednesday, April 4th to Thursday, April 12th, in rooms 13 and 325 of Daegu EXCO (CEO Lee Sang-gil). It will be held simultaneously with events such as the 323th International Green Energy Expo, the 20rd Hydrogen Market Insight (H3MI), the 2 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Forum, and AgriVoltaics 2023.
This year’s PVMI event will be held as an online-offline hybrid conference, and you can register at a 4% discount compared to on-site registration until April 5th, the pre-registration period. Special discount prices are applied to companies participating in the 25th International Green Energy Expo. For related matters, you can contact the secretariat.