Man hunts buildings to install solar panels
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Park Gyu-seop, secretary general of Seoul Citizen’s Solar Power Coop
By Kim Se-jeong
Business and renewable energy were in Park Gyu-seop’s mind for awhile.
In 2011, he joined a group of people to found the Seoul Citizen’s Solar Power Coop (SCSPC) where he works as secretary general. The SCSPC was officially formed in February of last year.
A business model for the SCSPC is simple: generating solar energy in Seoul and selling it.
A new energy supply regulation requires Korea Electric Power Corp., the sole distributor of electricity, to include renewable sources into their supply mix, and to pay more than the market price to a third-party supplier.
His team mainly builds solar power-generating units on the rooftops of buildings. Each installation has its own investors, mostly individuals, and profits will be shared among them.
“We don’t aim at becoming a big company. We want an equal representation of members in the decision-making and an equal share of profits,” Park said during a recent interview.
It’s not just about money.
“This can show Seoulites that they are not only using electricity, but are part of power generation,” he says, stressing the growing importance of the renewable energy.
Global warming is creating a greater need for renewable sources of energy.
The first power site will be ready by the end of April at a primary school in the Nowon District in northern Seoul.
Sitting on 440 square meters, the solar panels will have the capacity of generating 37.2 kilowatts, equivalent to covering four households. Eight investors covered two-thirds of the 90 million won it cost, with the rest covered by a preferential loan from the city government
Getting investors is not the hardest part, the secretary general said. What is more challenging is to get building owners, mostly public buildings, to understand what he is trying to do and to participate in it. He pays rent for the space.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has offered both practical and moral support.
It has helped his team find public buildings and granted a low-interest loan.
Asked about his business outlook, Park said he is optimistic.
“You have to be patient.”
The second power plant at the Gwanak Fire Department building in southern Seoul will be ready by June, which will be followed by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
He says new members are always welcome. Visit
for those who are interested.