[Report] "24 Solar Power Plants Built Through Citizen Participation...Committed to Public Interest"

'Citizen Participation Energy Cooperative' Ansan Citizen Sunlight Power Cooperative
Power Plant Built in Idle Spaces with Member Investment... 5% Dividend Paid
"Electromagnetic Waves from Solar Modules Are Misunderstood... Small Amounts Occur from Inverters"
REC Price Decline Challenges... Also Demanding "Differentiation in Competition Methods"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Kim Ki-young (78), who lives in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, covers about 28% of his monthly electricity consumption with eco-friendly energy thanks to a 795W-scale 'mini solar power system' installed on his apartment balcony. Additionally, thanks to the solar power plant installed on the apartment rooftop, the communal electricity bill actually shows a negative (-) amount on the statement, resulting in a discount of more than 1,000 KRW every month. Out of the total 634 households in Kim’s apartment complex, more than 100 households have installed balcony mini solar power systems. This is recognized as a representative eco-friendly energy practice case in Ansan City. Kim said, "I was able to reduce the self-payment for solar installation with subsidies from the local government," adding, "I hope more people become aware of the climate crisis." Kim is the first investor member of the Ansan Citizen Sunlight Power Cooperative.

Launched in 2012, the Ansan Citizen Sunlight Power Cooperative is one of the most actively operated 'citizen-participatory energy cooperatives' nationwide. It operates by building solar power plants with funds invested by members and redistributing the profits from power generation back to the members. After 121 members invested 90 million KRW to build the first power plant, the cooperative now has about 1,060 members and operates 24 solar power plants (totaling 2.7 MW). It mainly utilizes idle rooftop spaces of public facilities such as gymnasiums, water purification plants, and reservoirs. The carbon reduction effect through eco-friendly energy production amounts to a total of 3,920 tons annually. On the 6th, Lee Chang-soo, chairman of the Ansan Citizen Sunlight Power Cooperative, told reporters, "We use 100% domestically produced solar modules," and added, "We pay dividends to members at an annual rate of 4-5% on their investments."

Secretary General Ha Yong-nyeo dispelled misunderstandings that solar modules emit electromagnetic waves by directly measuring electromagnetic waves at the Ansan Citizen Sunlight 3rd Power Plant installed at Sangnok Gymnasium. When the measuring device was placed close to the solar module, it showed 0.3 mG, similar to the electromagnetic waves from a mobile phone. Secretary Ha explained, "Electromagnetic waves from solar power plants are generated in small amounts around the power conversion device called an 'inverter,' which converts direct current to alternating current," adding, "If you close the door of the electrical room housing the inverter, there is almost no concern about electromagnetic waves."

The cooperative’s biggest challenge is the worsening business viability due to the sharp drop in the price of REC (Renewable Energy Certificate), an incentive for renewable energy. REC is a certificate that proves that a power producer has generated electricity using renewable energy facilities, but its price has been continuously falling due to oversupply. Secretary Ha argued, "The competition methods between small operators such as cooperatives focused on citizen participation and regional contribution and large power producers should be differentiated."

Last year, the cooperative signed an agreement for the Sihwa Lake floating solar power project, and recently proposed to the city to install 2,220 kW of solar power along the bicycle road surrounding Sihwa Lake. Besides installing power plants, the cooperative is diversifying its business areas. It is conducting a pilot project called 'Visiting Solar Doctor' to maintain and manage solar power plants. For this project, it has partnered with energy cooperatives in the Gyeonggi region. The cooperative also operates an energy market that sells high-efficiency and eco-friendly devices such as LED lights and solar products, using all profits for social contribution activities. It has secured a manufacturing plant capable of producing structures and junction boxes necessary for solar power generation. Chairman Lee said, "We are pursuing KS certification for solar power junction boxes to participate in government procurement projects," adding, "We aim to establish our status as a public-interest organization by contributing to the training of renewable energy professionals and job creation."