Photovoltaics Line the Path to a Prosperous Future
Photovoltaics Line the Path to a Prosperous Future
  • Jeon Hae-sun
  • 승인 2009.01.16 17:57
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Yi Choong-hoon, president of Ubi Sanup Research
The global crisis will deepen this year. We each have to find our own way to make money in this difficult period. We need to have a vision to see which technology will come into the spotlight, which one will rise in five years, and which way we should go to overcome these severe obstacles.

The most promising technology five years from now in the fields of information technology, green technology, and nanotechnology is green energy. Basically, energy can be divided into two types, thermal energy and light energy. Light energy usually originates from nature, and thermal energy is mainly generated by people. In Korea or abroad, when it comes to saving energy, just two issues are really popular. These two issues are to save more energy and to increase energy efficiency.

Energy can also be divided into energy consumed by humans and energy spent by machinery. In modern society, machinery mainly uses oil for energy and as an alternative to oil there are only two things, electricity and bio energy. People usually generate electricity primarily and keep that in a storage battery. People capture electricity and put it into storage in different ways such as using nuclear energy, hydroelectric energy, and photovoltaic energy (PV), or solar cell energy.

Solar Cell Overview

Solar cell systems can be roughly divided into two categories - standalone systems and grid-connected systems. The former uses electricity as soon as it is generated. We can see portable electric calculators that apply that mechanism around us very easily. The latter generates electricity being connected with the power grid. Its purpose is to collect all the surplus electric power and resell it to the power corporation.

Standalone solar cell systems are a unique and attractive method since they provide electricity immediately. This is a different method from all other methods of generating electricity. This method can be done using three different systems - without storage, with storage, and hybrid systems. Hybrid systems can be applied to other generation methods - such as with wind turbines, cogeneration engines, and diesel generators. With unique alternative features and the diverse applications, PV is becoming a more important method these days.

Yi Choong-hoon, president of Ubi Sanup Research, emphasizes that Korea should focus on solar cell systems. This research company has mainly studied displays for a long time. But these days, the whole world is interested in preserving the environment and finding ways to earn money without polluting the earth. So, Ubi Sanup Research changed its main focus of research, exhibitions and forums from displays to solar cells to follow the flow of the rest of the world.

There are three reasons why they chose photovoltaics. First of all, it is the most convenient way of using the most common energy source, sunlight. President Yi has a motto, Sunlight Reaches Everywhere. It means that solar cells have a great advantage since they have no geographic limits.

Second, solar cell systems can be applied to many things. President Yi says: "Green energy can be divided into two categories. The first affects only fixed objects and the other also affects moving objects. PV is an example of the latter one. Therefore, the potential of PV is truly tremendous and endless. I have a motto, Sunlight Reaches to Everywhere. It means that PV has a great advantage since it is without limit of place or movement."

Third, Ubi Sanup Research has some data about solar cells already because they are already thoroughly acquainted with display technologies and that overlaps with PV technologies. President Yi says: "Korea has strength in the display industry. We have two strong conglomerates in displays, Samsung and LG. I think that these two companies should have a lot of interest in the PV system and invest their resources here. It is the only way for Korean companies to survive in the world market from now on."

Preparing Now for Economic Recovery

According to the view of many economic analysts, this economic slump in the US will take a favorable turn from the second half of this year. And a year or so later, Korea will have some favorable changes in its economy. Even though many plants are not working now, after the slump has gone, all the plants in the world will start to work and spend energy again. Therefore, if we want to possess a strong position in industry at that time, we need to concentrate to make better working conditions using alternative and eco-friendly energy in one or two years.

There are many other countries which have already started to focus on solar cell systems. Now, China is the country generating the highest amount of solar energy in the world because the Chinese government supports this industry. German companies come in first place in solar energy and the second is Japan. So, now is not too early for Korean conglomerates to start the photovoltaics business. Rather, we have to hurry and focus to catch up with other countries. Fortunately, solar energy is fitting for our situation. If we start to invest in a PV system, it only takes about a half year from now to offer a complete energy system.

President Yi says, "To start PV system development in the Korean conglomerates is the most important and urgent thing now. And after that, our next step is to reduce the prime cost to secure competitive power against other energy production in Korea and against other PV energy in the world market. In Korea, the cost of electricity is about 60 won/kW. The transaction price of nuclear energy is 40 won/kW and wind energy is more than 100 won/kW. However, PV energy is about 700 won/kW, very high cost compared to the others."

Yi continues: "Until now, Korea has only preferred nuclear energy because of its low cost and another purpose, military force. However, in my opinion, nuclear reactors are not safe especially in Korea when we consider our geographic conditions. For now, Korea is like an island country because Koreans cannot go to another country by train. So, we have a very narrow route for energy supply from other countries. In addition, we are in a very dangerous location for war. In the worst scenario, our nuclear plants can hurt Korean people very severely. For these reasons, I don't consider nuclear energy as a green energy."

Open Questions for Korean Government

When we consider all of these factors, the only hope for green energy in Korea would be solar cell systems. Even though the first manufacturing cost of solar energy will be really expensive, the price will decrease soon as we begin manufacturing. Korean companies need to be more daring and brave for this new market. And political support from the government is tremendously important.

Last but not least, President Yi emphasized a very important thing. "When the government tries to plan new policy, officials usually communicate only with some professionals and researchers in universities and institutions. But they cannot get a balanced view from them. I think they should connect with research companies also to get a more balanced and realistic view for the new policy."


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