Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Factory Has a Special 'Solar Power Generation Facility'

Installation of Solar Power Panels in Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Factory Parking Lot
Generating Electricity Enough for 678 Households in One Year
Carbon Reduction through Renewable Energy like Solar Power...Part of ESG Management Initiative

[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] 'The amount of electricity that 678 households can use for one year, 2847MWh.'

This is the annual power generation capacity of the solar power facilities installed at Samsung Electronics' semiconductor factories. Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) division produces eco-friendly renewable energy through solar panels installed in the parking lots of its Giheung, Pyeongtaek, and Onyang factories, leading efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

According to Samsung Electronics on the 1st, the total annual solar power generation at each DS division site is 2847MWh. Assuming an average monthly electricity consumption of 350KWh for a family of four, the large-scale electricity generated by the solar panels is enough to supply 678 households for one year.

The area of the solar power facilities installed at each DS division site is 27,660m², approximately four times the size of a soccer field. Samsung Electronics installed solar power facilities in the parking lots of each factory, where large sites are available, enhancing employee convenience while generating electricity. The solar panels serve as sunshades, protecting vehicles from rain and snow and preventing the interior temperature of vehicles from rising during summer.

Solar panels installed in the parking lot of Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek factory. Photo by Samsung Electronics

However, the electricity generated by solar power is not directly used to operate the semiconductor production lines. Due to the nature of solar power generation, which varies depending on weather conditions, there are limitations to using it in semiconductor production lines where even a one-second power outage can cause significant losses. Instead, Samsung Electronics utilizes solar power electricity throughout the factory, including office lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning facilities, in-house electric vehicle charging stations, and bus stop electronic display boards.

Additionally, Samsung Electronics has installed and operates geothermal power facilities under some buildings at its Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek factories. Geothermal power uses the heat stored in the soil to regulate cooling in summer and heating in winter. The temperature underground below 10 meters remains constant, allowing convenient use regardless of season or location.

A Samsung Electronics official stated, "Since 2019, we have converted 100% of the electricity at DS division overseas sites in the U.S., China, and other countries to renewable energy," adding, "We will continue our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management efforts to reduce carbon emissions."