The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS, President Kim Dae-ja) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced on Friday, October 31, that it has established and officially announced the world’s first Korean Industrial Standard (KS) for photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) hybrid modules, which generate both electricity and heat from solar energy.

While separate standards already exist for photovoltaic modules that generate electricity and for solar thermal collectors that produce heat, there has been no standard for PVT hybrid modules combining both technologies. This lack of standardization has posed challenges for Korean manufacturers seeking to enter new markets.

To address this issue, KATS introduced the Certification of Conformity of New Products of Industrial Convergence system in 2023 and has now established the world’s first KS standard to promote the adoption of PVT hybrid modules.

Because PVT hybrid modules are well-suited for buildings requiring both electricity and heat, the newly established KS standard is expected to support the government’s policy goal of achieving an energy transition centered on renewable energy and advancing toward zero-energy building certification for energy self-sufficiency.

President Kim Dae-ja stated, “The world’s first standardization of PVT hybrid modules demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting the market adoption of new convergence technologies developed by Korean companies. Moving forward, we will also pursue international standardization to help Korean companies expand into global markets.”