Status of Korean Photovoltaic Policy and National R&D Projects

한국의 태양광 정책 및 국가 R&D 과제 현황

The photovoltaic (PV) industry, which occupies about 80% share of domestic new and renewable energy (NRE) sales, has played an important role in the development of the Korean NRE industry. This was made possible by the government's implementation of the 3rd Basic New and Renewable Energy Plan, which promoted strategic PV R&D, infrastructure building, and a variety of PV deployment programs. For instance, 'One Million Green Homes', 'Feed in Tariff', and 'Renewable Portfolio Standards' programs contributed greatly to the dissemination of PV systems in the country. Furthermore, these programs were supported with more than 380 billion Won over 6 year period (2007~2012). The strategic PV R&D contributed to the fast follow-up in commercial technologies. Because of the recent, sharp decline in PV prices caused by oversupply and economic crisis in European countries, both foreign and domestic PV companies are going through painful restructuring. Under these circumstances, the Korean PV industry needs to find a new strategy for making a breakthrough, and in this sense a proactive role of the Korean government is desperately needed.