KEPCO Promotes Commercialization Technology Development for Glass Window-Type Solar Cells

Signing of MOU for Technical Cooperation with Unitest

Photo by Korea Electric Power Corporation

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) announced on the 26th that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for technological cooperation with UniTest to commercialize glass window-type solar cells at KEPCO's Power Research Institute. UniTest is a KOSDAQ-listed company that manufactures semiconductor inspection equipment.

About 20 officials attended the signing ceremony, including Kim Sukcheol, head of KEPCO's Power Research Institute, and Kim Jonghyun, CEO of UniTest.

Glass window-type solar cells are semi-transparent and lightweight solar cells that can be attached to building exteriors such as walls and windows. This eco-friendly power generation technology is suitable for South Korea, where there is a shortage of land for solar installations and many high-rise buildings.

Installing these solar cells on a 20-story building can generate more than 200 kW of electricity. This can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 210 tons annually.

Since the process requires temperatures below 200 degrees Celsius, it has the advantage of lower production costs compared to solar cells that require high-temperature production processes above 1000 degrees Celsius.

The photoelectric conversion efficiency, which converts light into electricity, is at a level similar to silicon solar cells, making it a promising next-generation solar cell.

KEPCO stated that through the MOU, it plans to conduct research on commercializing glass window-type solar cells together with UniTest.

To commercialize glass window-type solar cells, modules larger than 10cm × 10cm need to be produced, but KEPCO currently only has technology for an area of 2.5cm × 2.5cm.

UniTest can manufacture solar cells in the size range of 200 to 800 cm², which is suitable for commercialization.

KEPCO aims to develop high-efficiency solar cells for areas larger than 800 cm².

A KEPCO official emphasized, "If commercialization is successful in the future, we plan to apply glass window-type solar cells to warehouses, factories, parking lot roofs, and car sunroofs by leveraging their easy installation and minimal space constraints."

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