U.S. and Korean Solar Energy Associations Announce New Cooperation to Promote Greater Use of Solar Energy

The Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association (KOPIA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently announced their formal partnership in an effort to strengthen the solar energy industries of both countries and boost the competitiveness of solar energy globally. With this strategic partnership, the organizations will work jointly to promote the healthy and sustainable growth of solar energy markets at home and abroad.  Specifically, SEIA and KOPIA will work together on communications, events, policy initiatives, and market research to promote the adoption of solar energy. 

KOPIA President SangYeol Kim said, “This partnership shows that we are committed to working together to realize the full potential of solar energy. Through our partnership, we will be able to witness the PV industry take off to reach new heights.”

“Our partnership with KOPIA will help us to better address complex issues that arise in this global market, while creating new opportunities for collaboration between the solar industries of both nations,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA.

Solar energy is one of the fastest growing energy technologies in America, employing more than 100,000 Americans who work at more than 5,600 companies located in every state.  Cumulative U.S. solar electric capacity now totals more than  5,700MW, enough to power nearly a million American homes. Second quarter growth in 2012 was more than double that of 2011.

Korea has taken steps to increase domestic usage of solar power, but its greatest participation in the market today is as a manufacturer and exporter of solar products to the world’s largest solar markets.  Large Korean diversified manufacturers such as Hanwha, OCI, LG, and Hyundai, Samsung, among others, have made great strides in recent years to ramp up their investment in solar manufacturing. OCI and Hanwha are active with project development activities within the United States.