Seoul subsidizes installing new building-integrated solar panels

Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae examines a tidal power plant at Shihwa Lake in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, that is covered with building-integrated photovoltaic panels, December 2021. Newsis

By Ko Dong-hwan

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has started accepting applicants for a subsidy for installing building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPVs) panels ― a type of solar panel the city is promoting to increase the public's usage of renewable energy resources instead of fossil fuels.

Considered the next level of PV panels, BIPVs can be integrated like large tiles covering a building's external surfaces. Unlike conventional PV panels that physically stand out, BIPVs can be installed in various spots along a building's surface, such as windows, exterior walls or rooftops. They also come in different colors and can add a sleek glass facade to older structures.

The city government will accept applicants until June 10 and subsidize a total of 1.5 billion won ($1.2 million) to selected applicants.

The subsidy is available for two types of BIPVs. For those installing "design-type" BIPVs (designed to look less conspicuous), the city will cover up to 70 percent of the installation costs. This particular subsidy, however, comes with the condition that installation costs are calculated at 6 million won per kilowatt for replacing old PVs with BIPVs, and 4 million won per kilowatt for installing new BIPVs.

For those installing "new technology-type" BIPVs (made with new materials or new technologies developed domestically), the city will cover up to 80 percent of the installation costs.

Those who own private buildings in Seoul can apply for the subsidy with a firm that will install the panels. The Green Energy Division in the city government's Climate and Environment Headquarters will evaluate candidate firms based on their qualifications ― such as their licenses and performance in the area ― and then select pairs consisting of the building owner applicant and an installation firm.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has run various programs to subsidize solar panels for residents, beginning with a program for apartment dwelling households, since 2011. It started subsidizing building owners installing BIPVs in 2020. The city government subsidized a total of 2.2 billion won since that year for four buildings (including a church) in the districts of Gangseo, Yangcheon and Seocho.

Lim Mi-kyung, the head of the Green Energy Division, said that the government started subsidizing BIPVs to provide the newest type of PV panels available in Korea and to reduce the usage of conventional panels that have been limited to installation on apartment balconies or outside veranda spaces, or to building rooftops.

"It is our goal to propagate the use of BIPVs, which can expand the city's usage of eco-friendly energy resources and also improve the appearance of existing buildings," said Lim. "The project will contribute to the city transitioning its energy structure to an eco-friendly one and reduce greenhouse gases."

Since a national standard that assesses the performance of a BIPV module was certified in 2016, observers said that the BIPV market in the country is expected to grow by 20 percent annually until 2028. As the country's BIPV technologies have been growing, there is a rising demand for revising the country's existing standards for BIPV modules and systems. Some of the observers mentioned that the national policies for BIPVs of European nations like Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands are worth researching and citing.

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