One in three Houses in Seoul to Have Photovoltaic Facility
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced the 2022 Solar City Seoul plan that proposes the distribution of 1 GW (1,000 MW) in photovoltaic energy, which is equivalent to the facility capacity of one nuclear facility, by 2022. 1 GW is eight times more than the current photovoltaic energy generation capacity in Seoul of 131.7 MW.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to make photovoltaics part of the daily experience in the city including in residential areas such as apartments and houses as well as in urban infrastructure such as public and private buildings and bridges by improving the system and increasing the support budget. The goal is to turn Seoul into a city where photovoltaic facilities can be seen everywhere.
The plan involves ① distribution of photovoltaic generation to 1 million households (551 MW), ② supply of photovoltaic facilities to all public buildings and land where installation is possible (243 MW), ③ increasing citizen participation, ④ creating landmarks for 2022 Solar City Seoul, ⑤ building a Photovoltaic Special District in urban development areas, ⑥ establishing photovoltaic support centers and ⑦ promoting the photovoltaics industry.
We will first increase the subsidy so that three in one households in Seoul generate their own photovoltaic energy. A total of 1 million households (out of the 3.6 million households in Seoul) will have a Photovoltaic Mini Plant.
Newly built public apartments will be required to install a mini photovoltaic facility starting in 2018 and existing apartments will continue to receive an installation subsidy (around 75% of the installation fee). System improvement including development of designs customized for apartment verandas and relaxation of installation regulations will be carried out simultaneously. Solar city landmarks will be constructed in different locations in Seoul to promote photovoltaic energy and turn Seoul into a leading photovoltaic city.
Photovoltaics support centers will be established downtown and in five other zones to provide a one-stop after service on consultation, installation and maintenance to citizens, businesses and research institutes via phone.
By 2022, with the completion of 2022 Solar City Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is expected to ▲ provide electricity to 310,000 households (9% of households in Seoul), ▲reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 540,000 tons and ▲ create 30,000 new jobs that has the potential to yield approximately a financial gain of 532.7 billion won.
