Apartment Rooftops as Power Plants: Citizens Forge 'Urban Solar Income Villages'

Citizens in South Korea are actively exploring how to integrate solar power generation into urban environments, aiming to establish 'urban solar income villages.' A recent forum, the '1st All Citizens' Energy Forum: Citizen-Created Urban Solar Income Villages and Energy Transition,' brought together diverse individuals, including teachers, electricians, and solar cooperative members, to tackle this challenge.

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The biggest hurdle in installing solar power on apartment rooftops is resident consent. Although the standard has been eased from 'more than two-thirds' to 'more than half,' it's still not easy. We hope the government and local authorities provide incentives.

The primary hurdle identified is securing resident consent for solar panel installations, particularly on apartment rooftops. While regulations have eased from requiring two-thirds to half of residents' approval, the process remains difficult. Participants also noted misunderstandings about solar power, such as concerns over electromagnetic waves, highlighting the need for public hearings to clarify facts.

Unlike rural areas, where land is more readily available, urban areas face unique obstacles. Existing government policies, like the 'Solar Income Village' initiative targeting rural communities, often exclude densely populated cities. This has resulted in approximately 89% of South Korea's solar power facilities being located in rural regions. Participants emphasized that cities, being major energy consumers, must also become energy producers to realize a true energy transition.

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There are also people who oppose solar power due to misunderstandings, such as concerns about electromagnetic waves. Public hearings to verify the facts are necessary.

To overcome these challenges, citizens proposed innovative solutions. They suggested utilizing overlooked urban spaces such as apartment and school rooftops, riverbanks, and public parking lots as potential sites for solar development. Recognizing the weaker community structures in cities compared to rural areas, ideas for establishing intermediary organizations to facilitate the formation of solar cooperatives were also put forth.

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Cities can expand renewable energy if they actively discover idle land.

Experts and participants highlighted the significant untapped potential for solar energy in cities. Analysis suggests that installing balcony solar panels on apartments and rooftop solar on single-family homes could generate between 2.3 GW and 4.5 GW. Furthermore, the technical potential for solar power on the rooftops of residential and commercial buildings, excluding industrial complexes, is estimated at 35.1 GW. International examples, such as Germany's simplified procedures and tax exemptions for balcony solar, and Australia's support programs for rooftop solar and battery storage, were cited as models for successful urban solar adoption. The South Korean government is beginning to shift its focus, with initiatives like the balcony solar panel supply project for 100,000 households this year, though local government support remains a variable factor.

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If policies suitable for cities are established, the energy transition can also begin in earnest in cities.