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Republic of Korea PV technology status and prospects Jinsoo Song, Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) |
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However, the PV market is still limited in size and its application sector is largely focused on stand-alone systems. Recently, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) officially announced the "Basic Plan for Renewable Energy Technology Development and Dissemination". This new plan aims at developing the relevant PV technology for residential rooftop systems and mobilizing a multitude of initiatives to create markets and expand market size
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These were remarkable increases compared with those in 1999, which were 1 382 million KRW for R&D and 400 million KRW for the demonstration/field test programmes. In addition, it is noteworthy that local authorities also made an important contribution to the implementation of the demonstration programmes in 2000. The local authorities matched funds corresponding to 30% of the total investment based on cost-share projects.
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Apart from these projects, Samsung SDI announced, in October 2000, the achievement of 20,0% efficiency from single crystalline silicon solar cells with an area of 45,7§2. The somewhat basic R&D projects on thin-film solar cells have been implemented in research institutes and universities. The materials include CIGS, GaAs, amorphous silicon (a-Si), polycrystalline silicon (p-Si) and TiO2 for dye-sensitized solar cells. In the case of CIGS solar cells project lead by the KIER, various physical vapor deposition methods were studied with an objective to develop low-cost and high-efficiency solar cells. The fabrication of p-Si by Hot-wire CVD was also studied by the KIER, but its study still remains at the basic research stage. The other projects are related to cast-polycrystalline silicon, PV-thermal hybrid panel and small portable modules for electronic products. Related to R&D, on the balance of system (BOS), two projects on lead-acid battery were carried out by the Global Hightec Company. Since 1993, the MOCIE has been implementing, via the KEMCO, demonstration and field tests of various renewable energy technologies.
In addition, the Government has been encouraging and supporting local authorities to implement their own demonstration or field test projects under the framework of the "Local Energy Plan". This plan, implemented since 1997, is also meant to raise public awareness, which remains a top priority. Under the MOCIE-lead projects in 2000, five on-grid PV systems with an installed capacity of 10 to 15 kW started their operations. Under the local energy plan, two on-grid systems with a capacity of 3 and 50 kW, respectively, and four PV-diesel hybrid systems with a PV capacity in the range of 25 to 97 kW were planned for construction in 2000. In general, the Government provides 70 % of the total investment on the basis of cost-shared projects.
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PV-diesel hybrid systems for remote islands and isolated houses account for a large part of the off-grid domestic market sector. These systems were essentially installed under Government demonstration or field test programmes. The total number of distributed on-grid PV systems at the end of 2000 was 19; which includes eight systems installed in 2000. These systems were installed under the demonstration and/or field test programmes. Most of the systems have PV modules installed on building roofs with supporting structures. Due to the lack of concrete promotional policies, this market sector remains undeveloped. However, there is no doubt that this sector has a huge potential and will be the largest market in the near future when various conditions are met.
The total installed capacity of PV systems in Korea was 3 960 kW at the end of 2000, and the installed capacity in 2000 was 501 kW; a 5 percent increase over the previous year (477 kW). Even though the annual installed capacity has remained at the 500 kW level during the last three years, total power almost doubled during the last five years.
Korea’s PV market is still dominated by the off-grid non-domestic sector. This sector occupies 83% of the total installed power. Among 433 kW installed in 2000, the PV systems for aviation warning lamps on high-voltage transmission towers accounted for the largest market share with an installed power of more than 150 kW.
The share of the off-grid domestic sector is 8%, but with no increase in 2000. Also in 2000, eight distributed on-grid systems with installed capacities ranging from 2 to 15 kW started their operations. This sector accounted for 9%, as of end 2000.
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Samsung Electronics Co. manufactures five types of modules with a peak output of 50 to 120 W using mc-Si solar cells imported from BP Solarex. The newly developed module with a rated peak output of 120 W has a dimension of 1 128 L x 990 W x 50 mm D, and a structure glass/EVA/solar cells/EVA/tedlar. LG Industrial Systems produces various types of PV modules with a peak output power ranging from 43 to 100 W. In 2000, this company imported sc-Si solar cells from Siemens Solar Industries in USA. The module has a typical glass/EVA/solar cells/EVA/back sheet structure, which is similar to that of Samsung Electronics Company. Haesung Solar manufactures small PV modules with an output power ranging from 1 to 50 W. This company used solar cells purchased from LG Siltron Co. in the previous year. The module manufacturing process is also similar to that of the former two companies. This company is planning to produce large sizes (80 – 200 W) and color modules in the near future. PV module prices in 2000 were varied; ranging from 7 000 to 9 000 KRW/WP depending on the manufacturing company and the order volume.
Since 1998, the following companies have been manufacturing inverters for grid-connected systems: Samsung Electronics, LG Industrial Systems and Hex Power Systems Co. These companies also produce inverters for stand-alone systems. Dongmyung Electric specializes in inverters for stand-alone systems. Prices are reduced when the size increases. The price of an inverter for a stand-alone system is about 2 million KRW/kVA for a size larger than 10 kVA.
Global Hightec Company, a battery manufacturer with specific experience in PV systems, produces tubular plate stationary type lead-acid batteries. The commercial products capacity ranges from 170 Ah to 2 700 Ah.
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In addition, there are plans to install 10 000 rooftop PV systems with an average capacity of 3 kWp for residential houses during the period 2002-2006.
In order to assure successful implementation, various initiatives will be taken. First of all, in 2003, two-thirds of the initial investment cost will be subsidized. From 2004, low-interest loans will be provided instead of subsidies and the generated electricity will be purchased at a preferential tariff of 400 KRW/kWh. The difference between the electricity’s purchasing price and selling price will be evenly charged to all electricity consumers by raising the electricity tariff.
Apart from these measures, the Government will require that Government organizations, local authorities and public schools supply a certain part of their own electricity needs by utilizing PV systems or other renewable electricity generation technologies. The Government is also well aware of the important necessity for standards and regulations in the construction, grid-connection and operation of rooftop PV systems. These issues will be treated in parallel with PV field-tests and performance evaluation projects.
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