Dongkuk CM Develops World's First Ultra-High Reflectivity 'Solar Cell' Color Steel Sheet for Solar Power Applications

Reflectivity Amplified to Industry-Leading Levels
Maximizing Solar Efficiency... "World's Only"
Complete Solution to Roofing's Biggest Challenge: Corrosion Prevention

Dongkuk CM, a subsidiary of Dongkuk Steel Group, announced on December 1 that it has developed the world’s first ultra-high reflectivity solar cell color steel sheet (Solar cell PCM) specifically for solar power applications, based on its independently developed ternary high-corrosion-resistant plating technology.

Photo of Dongkuk CM’s ‘Solar Cell Color Steel Sheet’ product. The color steel sheet is shown reflecting on the surface. Dongkuk CM

Dongkuk CM determined that, given the expansion of renewable energy (solar power), roof installation requirements, and the growing trend toward bifacial solar panels, increasing the surface reflectivity of color steel sheets used as roofing materials could improve the power generation efficiency of bifacial solar modules. After a year of research and development, the company created a product that maximizes reflectivity compared to conventional materials. The principle is to transmit more sunlight reflected from the roof to the rear side of bifacial panels.

While the total solar reflectance (TSR) of conventional materials remains at around 50 to 60, Dongkuk CM’s solar cell color steel sheet has increased the TSR to 80 to 85. This level of reflectivity cannot be achieved with any existing roofing construction materials, and when applied, it improves the power generation efficiency of bifacial solar modules by 30 percent.

In particular, Dongkuk CM further differentiated its product by improving corrosion resistance, which is the most vulnerable aspect of roofing materials. Roofs are directly exposed to harsh environments such as high temperatures, high humidity, ultraviolet rays, condensation, and acid rain. Glass wool, commonly used on the inner side of sandwich panel steel sheets, is highly effective for insulation (temperature retention) and fire resistance, but is vulnerable to moisture. If rain or snow seeps between the steel sheets, corrosion can occur rapidly.

Dongkuk CM applied its ternary SLX (Soft-GLX) plating technology, precisely adjusted the zinc-aluminum-magnesium ratio, and utilized a special process to achieve more than twice the internal corrosion resistance compared to regular galvalume steel sheets. Workability has also been improved by more than twofold, so the material is not damaged even after bending processes. Dongkuk CM’s SLX technology has completed international patent applications in Korea, Japan, and major export countries. The paint layer retains its quality for 20 years, and the plating layer for 30 years.

Additionally, Dongkuk CM applied a ‘dual-layer structural design’ to further enhance corrosion resistance by designing the front side of the steel sheet, which is exposed to sunlight, and the rear side, which contacts glass wool, differently.

Choi Woochan, Head of the Technology Research Institute at Dongkuk CM, stated, “This next-generation premium material boasts overwhelming reflectivity and internal corrosion resistance even under extreme conditions. As TSR increases, it also delivers energy-saving effects such as cool roofing, which lowers roof temperatures.” He added, “With the global expansion of the solar power market, the increase in bifacial modules, and the acceleration of policies like RE100, we expect this product to become a core material in the solar energy and eco-friendly construction sectors.”

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