Green Energy Research Institute's Multi-Billion Won Solar Power Research Equipment Becomes 'Useless'

Obsolete Model Leads to Lack of Use by Companies and Inability to Secure Research Projects

Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member Woo Seung-hee Calls for Comprehensive Review of 2050 Carbon Neutral Jeonnam Mid- to Long-Term Plan and Research Institutio

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] A significant number of solar energy research equipment owned by the Green Energy Research Institute are being phased out due to restructuring in the solar industry and the development of new equipment, raising concerns about budget waste.

On the 10th, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Woo Seunghee confirmed from the administrative audit data submitted by the Green Energy Research Institute titled ‘Unused Research Equipment Details in the Last 3 Years’ that a total of 22 types of research equipment, including 8 types in 2019 and 14 types in 2020, have been unused and are now undergoing free transfer, sale, or disposal procedures.

The Green Energy Research Institute is a foundation established by Jeollanam-do to lead and develop the renewable energy industry. It was installed under Mokpo City in 2008 but was transferred to the Jeonnam Provincial Office in 2013.

The total acquisition cost of the 62 research equipment items owned by the Green Energy Research Institute amounts to approximately 6.19 billion KRW.

Among these, 1 item cost over 1 billion KRW, 11 items cost between 100 million KRW and 1 billion KRW, 30 items cost between 10 million KRW and 100 million KRW, and 20 items cost less than 10 million KRW.

However, the utilization rate of research equipment over the past three years was 33.4%, and the income from equipment usage fees was about 105 million KRW.

According to the Green Energy Research Institute, since 2013, the solar industry has been restructured around large corporations, and due to losing in cost competition, most solar component materials are imported from Japan, China, and Germany.

Research and development to improve solar performance is difficult to achieve innovative results due to a lack of domestic infrastructure, and only a very small number of companies utilize the institute’s equipment.

Because of this, there have been no purchases of research equipment in the last three years at the Green Energy Research Institute, and only two cases of technology transfer resulting from research and development were confirmed.

Assembly member Woo Seunghee pointed out, “Research equipment introduced at a cost of tens of billions of KRW to promote renewable energy development and foster solar equipment companies in the province has become outdated models, unused by solar power construction companies, and insufficient to secure research and development or national research projects.”

He added, “The research equipment is outdated, and technology transfer achievements are minimal, showing a lack of proactive measures and efforts by the institute to lead renewable energy. While building competitive equipment is necessary, first, a comprehensive review of Jeonnam’s mid- to long-term plans following the 2050 carbon neutrality declaration and the role and operation of the research institute is essential.”

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