[Young journalist Hojun Lee] Starting next year, public parking lots across the country will be transformed into spaces equipped with renewable energy generation facilities, such as solar power.

Using public parking lots as solar power generation sites is expected to play a key role in increasing the share of renewable energy in South Korea.

On the 27th, the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the promulgation of the revised "Act on the Promotion of the Development, Use, and Diffusion of New and Renewable Energy" (New and Renewable Energy Act).

The newly promulgated New and Renewable Energy Act mandates the installation of new and renewable energy facilities in public parking lots operated by the national government, local governments, and public institutions. The law will take effect six months after its promulgation and will also apply to existing parking lots already in operation.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to revise subordinate regulations to specify the scope of entities subject to the obligation, the required scale of energy facilities, and to impose obligations considering on-site conditions such as grid access and distance. It also plans to provide financial and administrative support to ease the burden of compliance.

Currently, businesses seeking to install solar power facilities in public parking lots can receive financial support through the “2025 New and Renewable Energy Financial Support Program.” 

A representative from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, “The spread of new and renewable energy facilities, such as canopy-type solar panels, in urban public parking lots is expected to promote the adoption of renewable energy, contribute to achieving carbon neutrality, and support energy self-sufficiency.”

▶원문 기사: 내년부터 공공주차장에 태양광 의무 설치…신재생에너지 확대 본격화(이코노미스트 2025.5.27)

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