Suncheon-si Promotes Development of High-Efficiency Solar Power Modules Utilizing Railroad Soundproof Walls

Selected for the Public Project on Development and Demonstration of Railway-Compatible Solar Modules for Noise Reduction and Carbon Neutrality

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do announced on the 20th that it has been selected for the noise reduction and carbon neutrality railway-compatible solar power demonstration research and development project organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and will promote the development of high-efficiency solar power generation modules that can be installed on railway soundproof walls.

The city was selected for the first energy technology development public project this year and will invest a total project cost of about 8.1 billion KRW, including 6 billion KRW in national funds, by 2025 in the "Railway-Compatible Solar Power Demonstration for Noise Reduction and Carbon Neutrality" project. It will develop and apply on-site a double-sided light-receiving high-efficiency solar power generation module that can be directly installed on soundproof walls installed to reduce railway passing noise.

Energy IT companies based in Suncheon such as W.P. Co., Ltd. and KoreaNet Co., Ltd., as well as Korea Railroad Corporation, will participate, and Suncheon City will perform project support tasks such as matching project fund support and administrative support.

This project aims to develop applicable technology for installing solar power generation facilities by utilizing soundproof walls installed on high-speed and general railways and soundproof walls on bridges.

The main objectives are ▲development of integrated soundproof wall modules with double-sided solar modules ▲lightweighting by more than 5% compared to existing soundproof walls ▲improvement of power output by more than 15% under standard conditions of solar power facilities compared to existing single-sided modules ▲development of color modules that consider aesthetics, are less dazzling, and resistant to contamination.

It is expected that if the technology development results spread in the future, annual sales of 10 billion KRW and employment of about 40 specialized personnel will be created, and it is anticipated that solar power generation facilities of more than 3MW can be installed on railway soundproof walls within the Suncheon region.

A Suncheon City official said, "A foothold has been established for the development of core solar power generation technology utilizing railway soundproof walls, and once the technology is commercialized, it is expected to greatly contribute to the creation of an energy self-sufficient city Suncheon and the achievement of carbon neutrality policies." He added, "We will continue to respond to changes in the industrial environment through fostering energy-related industries and job creation, and will spare no support for technology development to foster the local energy industry."