Gyeonggi Environment and Energy Agency Installs 420 kW Solar Power in 3 Apartment Complexes

Reduction of Apartment Common Electricity through Solar Power Distribution via 'Smart Energy Apartment Support'
Gyeonggi-do Provides Own Subsidies Linked with National Subsidies to Expand Apartment Solar Power
Support for Apartment Administrative Procedures through Consulting as well as Solar Equipment Subsidies

The Gyeonggi Environment and Energy Promotion Agency announced on the 20th that it supported the installation of a total of 420 kW of solar power facilities in three apartment complexes this year through the ‘Smart Energy Apartment Support Project.’

A solar panel installed through the 'Smart Energy Apartment Support Project' on the rooftop of an apartment in Namyangju-si. Provided by Gyeonggi-do

The ‘Smart Energy Apartment Support Project’ is a program that supports the installation costs of solar power on apartment rooftops to reduce the shared electricity bills used in common areas such as elevators, electrical rooms, and community facilities, rather than the electricity bills of individual apartment units.

In the case of an apartment complex located in Anseong-si, where about 500 households live in five buildings participating in this year’s project, it is analyzed that installing a 150 kW solar power generation facility on the apartment rooftop will produce approximately 178,441 kWh of solar electricity annually, reducing the electricity consumption of the apartment’s common areas by about 60% compared to the previous year. It is expected to save more than 20 million KRW annually.

The ‘Smart Energy Apartment Support Project’ is linked with a national subsidy program (77,500 KRW/kW based on the low-carbon module standard), and Gyeonggi Province independently provides an additional 20-30% of the total project cost. Accordingly, apartments participating in the project can install solar power generation facilities with only about 30% of the total project cost as their own contribution.

To install solar power generation facilities in apartment common areas, procedures such as resolution by the residents’ representative meeting, collecting residents’ opinions, securing funds, and obtaining consent from more than two-thirds of owners for activity permits are required. The Gyeonggi Environment and Energy Promotion Agency provides preliminary consulting to support internal decision-making within apartments and supports preliminary consulting for about 30 apartment complexes annually.

Through consulting, apartments can receive basic information for internal decision-making such as expected solar installation sites, capacity, and economic feasibility analysis, as well as administrative support including preparation procedures based on cases from other apartments.

A manager of an apartment participating in this year’s project said, “The process was a bit difficult, but since electricity rates seem to rise every year, we expect greater benefits and are informing neighboring apartments as well.”

The Gyeonggi Environment and Energy Promotion Agency plans to promote energy self-sufficiency by reducing electricity consumption in common areas of apartments in the province through the Smart Energy Apartment Support Project and to expand the distribution of solar power to more apartments in Gyeonggi Province.