Strengthening public-private cooperation to restore the solar inverter industry ecosystem and secure technological sovereignty

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE, Minister Kim Sungwhan) announced that it will officially launch the “Solar Inverter Industry Development Council” on May 8 at EL Tower (located in Yangjae, Seoul), together with public institutions such as the Korea Electric Power Corporation and the Korea Energy Agency, as well as domestic inverter manufacturers including OCI Power, Dasstech, and EKOS. Solar inverters are key components that convert direct current (DC) electricity generated from solar power into alternating current (AC), affecting power generation efficiency, grid stability, and power quality.

* (Participants) Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Energy Agency, Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Korea Testing Laboratory, Korea Conformity Laboratories, Korea Smart Grid Association, OCI Power, Dasstech, EKOS, DIK, Ino Electric, Hanwha Energy, HD Hyundai Electric, etc.

The “Solar Inverter Industry Development Council” was launched to reduce dependence on overseas solar inverter supply chains and strengthen the domestic manufacturing base in line with the expansion of renewable energy deployment. It is expected to carry out roles such as promoting joint research projects to secure future technologies, collecting industry opinions, and providing policy recommendations to protect the solar inverter industry ecosystem.

At the event, the MCEE will present specific policy support measures to strengthen the inverter industry ecosystem, including expanding public-sector demand, improving certification systems, and promoting the development of inverter technologies utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) will present investment plans to revitalize the industrial ecosystem, including the development of “security-enhanced next-generation solar inverters” for energy security and the discovery and fostering of promising energy-sector companies centered around KEPCO’s technology holding company.

Going forward, the council will operate effectively through subcommittees including a “Technology Division” to promote the localization of core technologies, an “Infrastructure Division” to discuss technical standards and the establishment of testbeds, and an “Institutional Division” to strengthen the domestic supply chain and create markets. Through technology transfer in the energy sector, support for research and development (R&D), and the opening of testbeds, the council plans to inject new momentum into the stagnant solar inverter industry ecosystem and generate tangible results.

Lee Hohyeon, Second Vice Minister of the MCEE, stated, “Solar inverters are key components of renewable energy facilities and critical equipment directly linked to the safety and stability of the power grid.” He added, “With the launch of this council, we will continue to provide policy support to enhance the technological competitiveness of domestic companies and foster a stable industrial ecosystem.”