The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) receives subsidy applications for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), a next-generation photovoltaic cell, from citizens who build or own buildings. Once selected, any applicant can be subsidized up to 80% of the installation cost. The total subsidies are worth KRW 3 billion.
○ BIPV is a photovoltaic system further improved from the traditional photovoltaic module as it uses photovoltaic cells as a building’s exterior materials. Unlike traditional photovoltaics only installed on building roofs, BIPV can be installed on various parts of a building such as windows, exterior walls, and roofs. Thus, it is effective in not just providing eco-friendly energy but also improving city’s aesthetics.

The SMG announced that it will provide a BIPV pilot program as part of the 2022 Solar City Seoul Project in the second half of the year following the first half and receive applications from participating citizens and photovoltaic businesses.

The pilot program in the second half of the year will prioritize in the order of (i) New Technology, (ii) Design, and (iii) General, and subsidies will be provided accordingly depending on the priority.
○ New Technology: Refers to Korea’s new material or technology. Up to 80% of the cost will be subsidized.
○ Design: Refers to photovoltaic cells with low visibility, which are difficult to distinguish with bare eyes. Within KRW 6 million/kW, up to 70% of the cost will be subsidized for both facade and roof types.
○ General: Refers to other types of photovoltaics except for New Technology and Design. Within KRW 3 million/kW, up to 70% of the cost will be subsidized for the facade type and 30% for the roof type.

This pilot program for the second half of the year removes capacity limits and expands up to 70% for the roof type in Design.

The SMG is also planning to carefully verify eligibility in selecting photovoltaic businesses. It will conduct quantitative evaluation on comprehensive and professional construction license, electrical construction license, business credit ratings, and installation staff and qualitative evaluation on business capability and proposals through an external review committee.

Applications will be received from August 24 to September 14, and participating businesses will be selected at the end of September after external review. The program will begin in October.
○ Any owner or soon-to-be owner of any private building in Seoul (new or existing) can prepare a proposal with the eligible business and file an application to the SMG.
○ Eligible businesses must be located within Seoul with a comprehensive construction license and electrical construction license, or a professional construction license related to installation location or type and electrical construction license. Businesses with photovoltaic module manufacturing facilities can participate jointly with businesses which meet the construction requirements.

The SMG will encourage novel technology development in photovoltaics this year through the private sector pilot program to research and analyze architectural design for establishing the BIPV system as one of the major photovoltaic projects in Seoul.

In addition, the SMG is also planning to build a photovoltaic demonstration park where citizens can see and experience the extraordinary BIPV technologies of Korean BIPV industry.