Window-attachable solar power film (Photo courtesy of Korea Southern Power)
BUSAN, Dec. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has begun real-world testing of a new solar-generating window film designed to turn high-rise buildings into power producers, marking a potential breakthrough for urban renewable energy.
Korea Southern Power (KOSPO) said Tuesday it has launched a demonstration project with the Korea Institute of Materials Science to evaluate “Window Solar Film,” a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology that functions like a sticker applied to glass.
The film, the first of its kind in Korea, combines organic solar cells with smart-window technology, allowing it to remain flexible and partially transparent while generating electricity. The goal is to preserve the natural function of a window — light transmission and visibility — while adding solar capability.
KOSPO has installed the film on the conference hall windows of its Sejong headquarters, where it will monitor electricity output, visible-light transmittance and changes in heating and cooling loads. The initial demonstration phase is scheduled to run through September next year.
Developers say the technology could simultaneously generate electricity and improve energy efficiency by modulating light penetration, potentially reducing building climate-control costs.
“This demonstration marks a turning point in transforming high-rise structures from energy consumers into urban power hubs,” said Kim Jun-dong, CEO of Korea Southern Power. He added that the company aims to help accelerate the country’s clean-energy transition and carbon-neutrality goals.
Choi Cheol-jin, president of the Korea Institute of Materials Science, said the project represents a major step toward securing core BIPV technologies. The institute, he said, will focus on moving the innovation beyond the research stage and into commercial use.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
