기후에너지환경부는 8일 서울 양재 엘타워에서 한국전력공사 등 공공기관 및 OCI파워 등 국내 인버터 제조업계와 함께 '태양광 인버터산업 발전협의체'를 공식 발족했다.
The South Korean government is taking steps to protect the supply chain for solar inverters, which are heavily reliant on foreign imports. On May 8, the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment officially launched the 'Solar Inverter Industry Development Council' in Seoul, collaborating with public institutions like Korea Electric Power Corporation and domestic manufacturers such as OCI Power.
Solar inverters are essential for converting direct current (DC) electricity generated from solar power into alternating current (AC). Their importance is growing due to their impact on generation efficiency, system safety, and power quality.
However, the majority of solar inverters in South Korea are imported, raising concerns about supply chain stability. Notably, Chinese products account for over 70% of global solar inverter shipments, contributing to this dependency.
The council aims to reduce reliance on foreign sources and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities in line with the expansion of renewable energy. It will pursue joint research projects for future technology development and gather industry feedback to protect the solar inverter ecosystem.
The ministry plans to enhance the inverter industry ecosystem through public demand expansion, improvements in certification systems, and support for AI-driven inverter technology development. Korea Electric Power Corporation will outline investment plans focused on developing secure next-generation solar inverters.
The council will operate through specialized divisions: one for promoting localization of key technologies, another for discussing technology standards and testing facilities, and a third for strengthening the domestic supply chain and creating markets. Plans include technology transfer in the energy sector, R&D support, and opening testing facilities to reshape the industry ecosystem.
Lee Ho-hyun, the second vice minister of climate, stated, "With the launch of this council, we will continue to provide policy support to enhance the technological competitiveness of domestic companies and create a stable industrial ecosystem."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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