Need to promote solar power generation in rural areas to accomplish rural area goal* in accordance with 'renewable energy 3020' plan and to increase income levels of farms * Goal of supplying 3.3GW by 2022 and 10GW by 2030 (accumulative) from solar power in rural areas
Meanwhile, expand the basis for supplying solar power projects by improving farmland policies - Exempt 50% farmland conservation deductibles of farmers for solar power generation project (February 2018) - Increase permissible buildings to install solar power panels inside agricultural development regions (May 2018) - Increase exclusive use area for solar power installation outside agricultural development regions (production & conservation management regions) (May 2018) - Temporarily extent duration of salt water reclaimed land (completed law amendment in December 2018)
Conduct empirical study related with agricultural solar power (2016 - 2019, MAFRA), and demonstrative project (2018, MTIE)
Agricultural solar power project requires increased acceptability and profit sharing of local residents, but related conditions are insufficient * Due to insufficient power transmission facilities in rural areas, burden of initial investment and concerns over environmental and landscape damage, participation of local residents in solar power project is timid
Need to supplement insufficiency in funding and information to farmers and pack of supportive system, etc.
B. Implementation Plan
To provide and disseminate resident participatory success models for sharing profits with farmers
To utilize subprime farmlands such as idle farmlands and salt water reclaimed land, etc.
(Resident Participatory Model) Provide (early 2019) and disseminate resident participatory solar power model where profits are shared with farmers by collaborating between Korea Rural Community Corporation and Nonghyup, etc.
Conduct demonstrative project led by Korea Rural Community Corporation (sea) and Nonghyup (land), and improve related policies for expanding usage of profits (corporation) and investment approval (Nonghyup), etc. (first half of 2019)
When installing in farmland, conduct planned location method where the local government establishes and executes the project plan
(Waterborne Solar Power) Review project direction by reflecting external opinions from the National Assembly and civil complaints, etc.
Conduct mainly in districts with guaranteed reservoir functions, landscape, resident agreement, environment and safety by using reservoirs owned by the Korea Rural Community Corporation
Materialize the project plan (early 2019) by reviewing detailed implementation conditions (grid-connection, resident agreement, permits, etc.) of all subject districts (899 districts) under the Korea Rural Community Corporation
(Agricultural Solar Power*) Distribute agricultural solar power based on demonstrative project and empirical study * Install solar power facilities over farmland to produce agricultural goods and generate solar power at the same time
In reflection of the empirical study results, supplement the project guidelines for follow-up management and facility safety (early 2019), and establish farmer supportive system by providing consulting and developing cultivation models, etc. (late 2019)
Temporarily extend duration (8→20 years) for farmland outside agricultural development areas (late 2019)
(Policy & Organization) Provide institutional basis to systematically propel rural solar power project
Implement enactment of law for establishing supportive system for farmers in solar power generation project (first half of 2019) - Key Content: Policy funding support, exemption of deductibles, preferential purchase, consulting support, etc. * Submission of draft for supporting farmers in solar power generation project (December 2018, legislation by Assembly member)
Establish a system in charge of related affairs to promote rural renewable energy