SK Engineering & Construction's 'SK View' Generates Solar Power Through Windows... Also Unveils 18 Types of Innovative Floor Plans

SK Engineering & Construction announced on the 18th that it signed a mutual cooperation agreement on the 13th with AluENC and Gukyoung G&M to develop window-type solar power generation systems for apartment buildings. From the right, Seungtae Jeon, Head of Architecture and Housing Business Division at SK Engineering & Construction, Seongcheol Hong, CEO of AluENC, and Jaewon Choi, CEO of Gukyoung G&M, are demonstrating the solar power generation system implemented on an operable window. (Photo by SK Engineering & Construction)

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] SK Engineering & Construction has succeeded in developing a window-type solar power generation system through collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises. A new innovative floor plan reflecting changed lifestyle habits was also newly introduced.

SK Engineering & Construction announced on the 18th that it has developed the first apartment window-type solar power generation system in Korea. Along with this, SK Engineering & Construction also unveiled 18 new floor plans reflecting changes in lifestyle and the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The multi-family housing window-type solar power generation system is a system jointly developed by SK Engineering & Construction, Aluenc, and Gukyoung G&M, applying solar power generation equipment to each household's window to enable power generation and shading while maintaining the apartment's aesthetics. Thin-film solar panels considering the external view are used, and depending on the window installation location, the transmittance can be selected and applied from 10% to 30%. An 'Operable BIPV system' that stably delivers electricity generated from operable windows to the household power system was also jointly developed, and a patent application has been completed.

SK Engineering & Construction explained that this system complements the shortcomings of existing solar power generation systems, which were generally installed on rooftops or side walls where securing installation area was difficult, while the generated electricity is used for individual households rather than common areas, providing residents with electricity bill reduction benefits. The power generation amount per household can be checked in connection with the home network system.

This window-type solar power generation system is a result utilizing SK Engineering & Construction's 'R&D Open Platform' and is evaluated as a good example of co-growth between large corporations and SMEs and the creation of social value pursued by the SK Group.

'Kangaroo House 84㎡' floor plan newly introduced by SK Engineering & Construction (Provided by SK Engineering & Construction)

Meanwhile, SK Engineering & Construction introduced 18 new floor plan types reflecting environmental changes due to COVID-19 and diversified customer demands. The newly developed floor plans are broadly categorized into three types: post-COVID, lifestyle changes, and basic product upgrades.

First, a 'Clean-Care' floor plan was developed to block viruses such as COVID-19 and fine dust. The Clean-Care floor plan, applied to the 84㎡ (exclusive area) type, installs a middle door and shoe sterilizer at the unit entrance and introduces a separate space called the 'Clean-Care Room' leading to the living room to separate movement paths. The Clean-Care Room is equipped with a UV LED module sterilizing ventilator and a styler developed by SK Engineering & Construction, and the bathroom and laundry room are also arranged together. Additionally, next to the master bedroom, an evacuation space and an outdoor unit room are integrated to expand the balcony space.

Floor plans reflecting lifestyle changes are also introduced. The 'FLEX 59' floor plan minimizes the framework of walls and pillars, allowing customers to integrate the existing 3-bay structure's living room and bedroom into one according to their preferences. Reflecting the trend of dual-income couples raising children and households living with parents, a 'Kangaroo House' floor plan is also introduced. This floor plan features an 84㎡ 5-bay slab-type structure that maximizes the usable area of the unit household and applies one- or two-room options to enable separate independent living spaces. Besides these uses, it is a structure that allows generation-separated rental for small households and young people.

SK Engineering & Construction also plans to maximize space utilization by developing niche sizes such as 32㎡, 49㎡, 62㎡, and 74㎡. SK Engineering & Construction recently completed copyright registration for the new floor plans and plans to strengthen its competitiveness in urban redevelopment and private contract project bids through this.

Seungtae Jeon, Head of Architecture and Housing Business Division at SK Engineering & Construction, said, "Through the development of the apartment window-type solar power generation system, we will contribute to the spread of zero-energy buildings," adding, "We plan to continuously promote product development such as new floor plans to enhance customer satisfaction."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.