[Climate Tech Battle⑧] "What is that cool building facade? It's SG Energy solar panels"

Interview with Lee Jinseop, CEO of SG Energy
BIPV Combining Solar Energy Efficiency and Aesthetics
Market Leader with 1st Place Share... Reducing 6,400 Tons of CO2

‘Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)’ is not a technology for the future but a carbon reduction technology currently applied in our daily lives. This is because starting next year, ‘Zero Energy Building (ZEB) certification’ will be mandatory for private multi-family housing with 30 or more households. To receive certification, buildings must generate at least 20% of their energy consumption through renewable energy facilities or similar means. BIPV, a building exterior material capable of solar power generation, is considered the most efficient solution for this purpose. SG Energy, the domestic market leader, has reduced approximately 6,400 tons of carbon dioxide through BIPV installations to date.

Lee Jin-seop, CEO of SG Energy, is explaining the manufacturing process of building-integrated solar panels at the headquarters in Daejeon.
[Photo by Yeom Da-yeon]

On the 5th, Lee Jin-seop, CEO of SG Energy, stated, "Solar power is in highest demand among renewable energy sources because it does not use fuel and does not produce noise, vibration, or odors," adding, "Among these, BIPV demand is steadily increasing because it does not look like traditional solar panels and can reduce both construction materials and costs with a single finishing process."

Traditional solar panels must be attached to the exterior or finishing materials of already completed buildings, requiring two rounds of construction and often damaging the building’s functionality. They also have an opaque and bulky appearance that can spoil the building’s aesthetics. BIPV overcomes all these drawbacks of conventional solar panels. It simultaneously functions as architectural exterior material and solar power generator, can be custom-made in desired colors and designs, and enables diverse building exteriors. It also offers insulation effects that reduce power waste during heating and cooling and provides high visible light transmittance, serving as window glazing.

SG Energy operates all processes directly?from BIPV design to construction and aftercare?without outsourcing, building expertise in this market. It has maintained over 50% market share in the domestic BIPV market for five consecutive years, holding the top position. Sales increased by about 15% last year to 10.5 billion KRW. The number of clients has grown from 17 at its founding in 2019 to over 100 today.

CEO Lee cites custom manufacturing and responsiveness as competitive advantages. He said, "Because orders vary from 2 to 100 cells, automation is difficult, so all products are handmade. We have built trust by providing products tailored to desired sizes and textures and offering free replacements if damage occurs on-site."

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels installed at the SG Energy headquarters located in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon
[Photo by Dayeon Yeom]

The most differentiated technology is achieving consistent energy efficiency across all colors. With conventional coating methods, energy efficiency varies depending on the degree of sunlight transmission through each color applied to the panel surface. However, SG Energy’s patented ‘dot printing’ technology enables uniform efficiency output. This satisfies user demands for color and design while maintaining high energy efficiency.

CEO Lee learned about BIPV while working at the Korea Institute of Energy Technology and founded the company in 2019, driven by a desire to produce eco-friendly electricity. He explained, "Electricity has a clean image when used, but behind the plug, there is significant carbon emission from generation processes involving petroleum and coal. Producing electricity directly inside buildings eliminates generation and transmission processes, enabling carbon reduction."

The effectiveness has already been proven. SG Energy has produced and installed approximately 16 MW of modules at 620 sites cumulatively. Calculated at 0.4 tons of CO2 reduction per 1 kW, this amounts to over 6,400 tons of carbon dioxide saved. The future outlook for the BIPV market is also ‘clear.’ With the mandatory ZEB certification and government and local policies moving toward carbon neutrality, SG Energy is currently engaged in government procurement projects and Seoul city BIPV distribution initiatives. Deliveries and installations have been completed at Seoul City Hall, Korea Institute of Energy Technology, and Seoul Seosomun Government Complex. CEO Lee stated, "Through steady growth, we aim to expand the market long-term to include various building exterior materials such as steel plates, glass, and stone, becoming a comprehensive eco-friendly technology company."