sustainability

Review
Application of Floating Photovoltaic Energy
Generation Systems in South Korea
Sun-Hee Kim 1 , Soon-Jong Yoon 1 , Wonchang Choi 2, * and Ki-Bong Choi 2
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Hongik University, Seogang-dong, Mapo-gu 04066, Korea;
sunnys82@hanmail.net (S.-H.K.); sjyoon@hongik.ac.kr (S.-J.Y.)
2 Department of Architectural Engieering, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Korea;
kbchoi@gachon.ac.kr
* Correspondence: wchoi@gachon.ac.kr; Tel.: +82-10-9102-4555

Academic Editors: Jiawei Gong and Qiquan Qiao

Received: 31 October 2016; Accepted: 29 November 2016; Published: 17 December 2016

Abstract: In order to mitigate air pollution problems caused mainly by the excessive emission of
carbon dioxide, in 2012, the South Korean government decided to introduce a renewable portfolio
standards (RPS) program that requires electricity providers to gradually increase their production of
renewable energy. In order to meet the government’s target through this RPS program, electricity
providers in Korea have looked to various types of new and renewable energy resources, such as
biomass, wind, and solar. Recently, floating photovoltaic (PV) systems have attracted increased
interest in Korea as a desirable renewable energy alternative. This paper provides a discussion of
recent research into floating PV systems and the installation of floating PV power plants in Korea
from 2009 to 2014. To date, thirteen floating PV power plants have been installed in Korea, and several
plans are underway by many different organizations, including government-funded companies, to
install more floating PV power plants with various generation capacities. These building trends are
expected to continue due to the Korean government’s RPS program.

Keywords: renewable energy; renewable portfolio standards (RPS) program; floating photovoltaic
(PV) power plant; installation

1. Introduction
The market for photovoltaic (PV) energy in South Korea is expanding rapidly due to the Korean
government’s renewable portfolio standards (RPS) program [1]. In 2012, the Korean government
decided to introduce this RPS program, which requires electricity providers to gradually increase the
amount of renewable energy through “the act on the promotion of development, use and dissemination
of new and renewable energy” [2]. The capacity required for the energy production of new and
renewable energy has increased gradually from 2% total energy production in 2012 to a target of 10%
total energy production in 2022. In order to meet the government’s target through the RPS program,
electricity providers in Korea have employed various types of new and renewable energy resources,
such as biomass, wind, solar, bioenergy, and geothermal energy.
Recently, floating PV energy systems as generators of renewable energy have attracted increased
interest from energy providers in Korea. The Korean peninsula is a small land area, relatively speaking,
and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Therefore, floating PV energy systems constitute a
desirable alternative to many of the other available renewable energy resources.
According to previous research [3], floating PV energy systems offer several advantages over
systems installed on land. First, because floating PV energy systems are installed on water, the land
can be conserved and used for other purposes. Second, floating PV energy systems provide energy

Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333; doi:10.3390/su8121333 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability

Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 2 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 2 of 9

generation efficiency because the ambient temperature of water is relatively

relatively low.
low. Finally,
Finally, evaporation
from the water’s surface
surface may
may be
be reduced
reduced when
when aa floating
floating PV
PV energy
energy system
system isisinstalled
installedin
inaareservoir.
reservoir.
Trapani and Redón Santafé (2014) [4] discussed examples of floating PV energy
Trapani and Redón Santafé (2014) [4] discussed examples of floating PV energy generation systems generation
systems
that werethat were installed
installed from
from 2007 to2007
2013toworldwide.
2013 worldwide. The number
The total total number of installations
of installations of floating
of floating PV
PV power
power plants
plants in the
in the world
world waswas19 19 from
from 2007
2007 toto 2013.During
2013. Duringthis
thisperiod,
period,various
various types
types of
of floating
PV power plants were installed in the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Korea, and several other
countries. However,
However, research
research studies
studies about
about the installations in Korea are are lacking.
lacking. Therefore, the
existing floating PV power plants and new floating PV power plants under construction in Korea
need to be introduced to the literature to gain a better understanding of current research efforts. The
purpose of this paper is to provide a discussion of the research related to floating PV energy systems
and the installation of floating PV power plants in Korea from 2009 to 2014. The floating PV power
plants that were installed from 2009 to 2010 are research-based, and the ones installed from 2011 to
2014 are commercial installations.

2. Floating PV Energy Systems in Korea: 2009–2010

Table 1 provides
providesaasummary
summaryofof the
the floating
floating PVPV energy
energy systems
systems thatthat
werewere installed
installed in Korea
in Korea from
from 2009
2009 to to The
2010. 2010. The
first first floating
floating PV energyPV system
energy wassystem was installed
installed in the Seoungmun
in the Seoungmun Reservoir Reservoir
(Dangjin-
(Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do)
si, Chungcheongnam-do) in pictured
in 2009, as 2009, as pictured
in Figurein1Figure 1 [5].
[5]. This This system
system has ninehas
PVnine PV panels
panels with 2
with 2 kW generation capacity. Although this particular system was installed for research
kW generation capacity. Although this particular system was installed for research purposes, results purposes,
results of studies
of studies of the of the system
system had been
had not not been presented
presented in the
in the literature
literature until2013
until 2013[6].
[6].However,
However, three
different types of floating PV systems were also installed in Korea in 2009, and studies of them began
immediately and have been available in the literatureliterature since
since 2009.
2009.

Table 1.
Table Floating photovoltaic
1. Floating photovoltaic (PV)
(PV) energy
energy systems
systems in
in Korea:
Korea: 2009–2010.
2009–2010.

Material
Material forPVthe
for the PV Panel
Panel DesignDesign
Installation Date
Installation Date Location
Location Capacity
Capacity
Supporting Structure
Supporting Structure Concept
Concept
2009 2009 Seongmun
SeongmunReservoir (Dangjin-si)
Reservoir (Dangjin-si) 2 kW
2 kW Steel Steel N/A 1
N/A 1
2009 2009 Juam
JuamDam (Suncheon-si)
Dam (Suncheon-si) 2.4 kW
2.4 kW1 1
Polyethylene
Polyethylene N/A N/A 1
1

Homyeong Lake inLake

Homyeong Cheongpyeong
in
October 20092009
October 5.2 kW FRP N/A 1
N/A 1
hydroCheongpyeong
power planthydro power
(Gapyeong-gun) 5.2 kW FRP
plant (Gapyeong-gun)
December 2009 Sea site (Tongyeong-si) 3.26 kW FRP ASD 2
December 2009 Sea site (Tongyeong-si) 3.26 kW FRP ASD 2
December 2010 Sea site (Tongyeong-si) 3.22 kW FRP ASD 2
December 2010 Sea site (Tongyeong-si) 3.22 kW FRP ASD 2
1 N/A:1Not applicable; i.e., design method was not applied (or not known);
2
2 ASD: Allowable strength design.
N/A: Not applicable; i.e., design method was not applied (or not known); ASD: Allowable strength design.

Figure 1.
Figure Floating PV
1. Floating PV energy
energy system
system at
at the
the Seongmun
Seongmun Reservoir.
Reservoir.

These additional systems that were installed in 2009 include the Korea Water Resources
Corporation (known
(known asas‘K-water’)
‘K-water’)floating
floatingPVPVenergy
energysystem with
system with2.42.4
kWkW generation capacity
generation at the
capacity at
Juam
the Dam
Juam Dam(Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do),
(Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do),as as
shown
shown in in
Figure
Figure2 2[5].
[5].The
Thepurpose
purpose ofof K-water’s
K-water’s first
project was to investigate the possibility of solar energy
energy harvesting
harvesting using
using aa floating
floating PV
PV energy
energy system.
system.
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 3 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 3 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 3 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 3 of 9

Figure
Figure 2. 2.Floating
FloatingPV
PV energy
energy system
systematatthe
theJuam Dam.
Juam Dam.
Figure 2. Floating PV energy system at the Juam Dam.
Figure 2.system
Another floating PV energy Floating PV energy
with 5.2 kWsystem at the capacity
generation Juam Dam.was installed at Homyeong
LakeAnother
Another
(at the floating
floating PVPV
Cheongpyeong energy
energy systemwith
system withplant)
hydro-power 5.2 kW
5.2 kWingeneration
generationcapacity
capacity
October 2009 was
by the installed
was at Homyeong
installed
Korea at Homyeong
Southern Power
Lake (at Cheongpyeong
the (KOSPO),
(at Another
LakeCorporation
the Cheongpyeong
floating PV hydro-power
energy system
hydro-power with
as shown in Figure 3. plant)
5.2
plant)kWin
in October
generation
October 2009 by
capacity
2009 bythe
wasKorea
the Southern
installed
Korea at Power
Homyeong
Southern Power
Corporation
Lake (at the (KOSPO), as
Cheongpyeong shown in Figure
hydro-power
Corporation (KOSPO), as shown in Figure 3. 3.plant) in October 2009 by the Korea Southern Power
Corporation (KOSPO), as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Floating PV energy system at Homyeong Lake [7].

Figure Floating
3. 3.
Figure FloatingPV
PVenergy systematatHomyeong
energy system Homyeong Lake
Lake [7].[7].
This floating PV energy Figuresystem,
3. Floating PV energy
shaped like asystem
turtle, at Homyeong
is made Lake [7].
of fiber-reinforced plastic (polymer)
(FRP)This floating
material and PVwasenergy
plannedsystem,
and shaped
installedlike
to a turtle, isthe
promote made of fiber-reinforced
utilization of renewable plastic
energy (polymer)
systems.
This floating PV energy system, shaped like a turtle, is made of fiber-reinforced plastic (polymer)
(FRP) material
This and
floating PVwas planned
energy and
system, installed
shaped to
like promote
a turtle, the
is utilization
made of of renewable
fiber-reinforced energy
plastic systems.
(polymer)
(FRP) material and was planned and installed to promote the utilization of renewable energylake.
The electricity produced by this system is used as a power source for the streetlights around the systems.
The electricity
(FRP) material
The third produced
and
2009was by this
planned
floating PV system
and iswas
used
installed
system toaspromote
the a power
first source
the for theof
utilization
government-funded streetlights
renewable
research around the
energy(NRP)
project lake.
systems.
in lake.
The electricity
The produced by this system is used as a power source for the streetlights around the
The
Korea forthird
electricity 2009 floating
produced
the development by of PV
this systemPV
system
floating iswas
usedtheasfirst
systems aand government-funded
powerwassource for the
initiated research
researchproject
streetlights
by the team at(NRP)
around the in
lake.
Hongik
The
Koreathird
for 2009
the
The third floating
development
2009 floating PVof system
floating was
PV the
systems first
and government-funded
was initiated by the research
research project
team at (NRP)
Hongik in in
University in December 2008PV [8].system
Duringwas the first
the study government-funded
period, the research team research project
developed and(NRP)
installed
KoreaKorea
for the
University development
in December
for the development of
2008 floating
[8]. PV
During systems
the study and was
period, theinitiated
research by
team the research
developed team
and at Hongik
installed
two prototypes of a floatingofPV floating
energyPV systems
system. The and was
first had initiated by the with
16 PV panels research
3.68team at Hongik
kW generation
University
two in
University December
prototypes
in of a
December 2008
floating
2008[8].
PV During
[8]. energy
During the
the study
system.
study The period,
first
period, hadthe
the 16 research
PV
research panels
team
capacity and was installed in Puksin-Bay, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, in December team
withdeveloped
3.68
developed kWand and installed
generation
installed
capacity
two
two prototypes and
prototypesofwas
a of installed
a floating
floating in
PV PV
2009, as shown in Figure 4 [1,3,9,10]. Puksin-Bay,
energy
energy Tongyeong-si,
system.
system. The
The first
first Gyeongsangnam-do,
had
had 1616PVPV panels
panels with Korea,
3.68
with kW
3.68in December
generation
kW generation
2009,and
capacity as shown
capacity and
waswas in Figure
installed
installed 4 [1,3,9,10].
in in Puksin-Bay,Tongyeong-si,
Puksin-Bay, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do,
Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, in December
Korea, in December
2009, as shown in Figure 4
2009, as shown in Figure 4 [1,3,9,10]. [1,3,9,10].

Figure 4. Floating PV energy system at Puksin-Bay, Tongyeong-si.

Figure 4. Floating PV energy system at Puksin-Bay, Tongyeong-si.
Figure Floating
4. 4.
Figure FloatingPV
PVenergy
energy system
system atatPuksin-Bay,
Puksin-Bay, Tongyeong-si.
Tongyeong-si.
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 4 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 4 of 9

The second
The second prototype
prototype had
had 14
14 PV
PV panels
panels with
with 3.22
3.22 kW
kW generation
generation capacity
capacity and
and was
was installed
installed at
at
Punghwa-ri, Tongyeong-si,
Punghwa-ri, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do,
Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea,
Korea, in
inDecember
December2010,
2010,as
asshown
shownininFigure
Figure55[5].
[5].

Figure 5. Floating
Floating PV
PV energy system at Punghwa-ri, Tongyeong-si.

These two
These two prototype
prototype structures
structures were
were made
made ofof FRP
FRP material
material produced
produced by by aa pultrusion
pultrusion process.
process.
This FRP material was selected due to its high resistance to corrosion and its light weight. In
This FRP material was selected due to its high resistance to corrosion and its light weight. In addition,
addition,
unlike the
unlike theaforementioned
aforementionedsystems
systemsthatthat were
were installed
installed on on a reservoir
a reservoir or lake,
or lake, thesethese two prototypes
two prototypes were
were installed in the sea. In addition, they were designed using systematic design
installed in the sea. In addition, they were designed using systematic design methods in accordance methods in
accordance with relevant standard specifications. The design methods of the others systems
with relevant standard specifications. The design methods of the others systems installed from 2009 to installed
from are
2010 2009 toreported
not 2010 are in
notthe
reported in the literature.
literature.

3. Floating
3. Floating PV
PV Energy
Energy Systems in Korea:
Systems in Korea: 2011–2014
2011–2014
Table 22 provides
Table provides aa summary
summary of of the
the installations
installations of
of floating
floating PVPV systems
systems in Korea from
in Korea from 2011
2011 toto
2014. As discussed in Section 2, several floating PV system projects had been undertaken
2014. As discussed in Section 2, several floating PV system projects had been undertaken from 2009 to from 2009
to 2010.
2010. However,
However, all all of these
of these projects
projects werewere carried
carried out out for research
for research purposes,
purposes, so they
so they werewere designed
designed and
and installed
installed withwith
smallsmall capacities.
capacities. FromFrom2011,2011, however,
however, floating
floating PV power
PV power plantsplants on a relatively
on a relatively large
large were
scale scaleinstalled
were installed by K-water,
by K-water, the KoreatheRural
Korea Rural Community
Community (KRC) Corporation,
(KRC) Corporation, the Korea the Korea
East-West
East-West
Power Power
(EWP) (EWP) Corporation,
Corporation, and other and other companies.
companies. For example, For example,
a floatingaPV
floating
powerPV power
plant plant
with 100
withgeneration
kW 100 kWcapacity
generation capacityat was
was installed installed Dam
the Hapcheon at the Hapcheon Gyeongsangnam-do)
(Hapcheon-gun, Dam (Hapcheon-gun, in
Gyeongsangnam-do) in October
October 2011, as shown in Figure 6. 2011, as shown in Figure 6.
Table 2. Floating PV energy systems in Korea: 2011–2014.
Table 2. Floating PV energy systems in Korea: 2011–2014.
Material for the PV
Installation Tracking
Tracking Generation
Generation Material for the PV Panel Design
Design
Installation Date Location
Location Panel Supporting
Type Type Capacity CapacitySupporting Structure Concept
Date Concept
Structure
October 2011 Hapcheon Dam (Dangjin-si) Fixed 100 kW Steel/Aluminum/FRP ASD 2
October 2011 Hapcheon Dam (Dangjin-si) Fixed 100 kW Steel/Aluminum/FRP ASD 2
N/A 1
JulyJuly 2012
2012 Hapcheon Dam (Dangjin-si)
Hapcheon Dam (Dangjin-si) Fixed Fixed 500 kW 500 kW Aluminum
Aluminum N/A 1
2012 Reservoir (Cheongju-si) FTCC FTCC 30 kW Steel Steel 1
2012 Reservoir (Cheongju-si) 30 kW N/AN/A 1
December
December 2012
2012 Reservoir (Gochang-gun)
Reservoir (Gochang-gun) Fixed Fixed 30 kW 30 kW FRP FRP 2
ASD 2
ASD
Cooling water
Cooling intake
water channnel
intake ASDASD
2 2
June 2013
June 2013 Fixed Fixed 1000 kW 1000 kW FRP FRP 3
channnel (Dangjin-si)
(Dangjin-si) LRFD
LRFD 3

JulyJuly
2013
2013 Reservoir (Naju-si)
Reservoir (Naju-si) Fixed Fixed 30 kW 30 kW Polyethylene
Polyethylene N/AN/A
1 1

December 2013 Hapcheon Dam (Hapcheon-gun)

Hapcheon Dam Tracking type
Tracking 100 kW FRP ASD 2
December 2013 100 kW FRP ASD 2 1
August 2014 Reservoir (Ansung-si)
(Hapcheon-gun) Tracking type
type 465 kW Steel N/A
N/A: Not Tracking
2014 applicable; i.e., design method
was not applied
465(or
kWnot known); ASD:
Steel Allowable strength
1 2
August Reservoir (Ansung-si) N/A 1
type
design;
1
LRFD: Load and resistance factor design.
3
2 3
N/A: Not applicable; i.e., design method was not applied (or not known); ASD: Allowable strength design;
LRFD: Load and resistance factor design.
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 5 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 5 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 5 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 5 of 9

Figure 6. A 100
Figure kW floating PV energy systematatthe
the Hapcheon Dam
[11].[11].
Figure 6. A6.100
A 100
kWkW floatingPV
floating PVenergy
energy system
system at the Hapcheon Dam
Hapcheon Dam [11].
Figure 6. A 100 kW floating PV energy system at the Hapcheon Dam [11].
AfterAfter
the successful
the successfulinstallation
installationofofthis
thisfloating PVpower
floating PV powerplant
plant with
with 100100
kWkW generation
generation capacity,
capacity,
After
K-water, the successful
alsoalso
installed installation
a 500 kW of
kWfloating
this floating PV power plant with 100 kW generation capacity,
K-water,
After installed
the successful ainstallation
500 of thisPV
floating PV power
power
floating plant
PVplant atatplant
power another
another site
site
with on
onkW
100 the Hapcheon
thegeneration
Hapcheon DamDam
in
capacity, in
K-water,
July 2012,also
July 2012, installed
as shown
as shown
K-water, also a
in Figure
installed 500
in Figure
a 500 kW floating
7 [12].
7 [12].
kW Thesetwo
These
floating PV
PV power
twopower
floating
floating plant
PV
PVpower
plant at
power
at another
plants
plants
another site site
were
were
on on
the the
installed Hapcheon
using
installed
Hapcheon inDam
design-
using
Dam design-
in July 2012,
July 2012,as
to-installation
to-installation as shown
shown
technical inin
technical Figure
support
Figure
support 7provided
[12].
7 provided
[12]. These These
by the
two
by the two floating
authors.
floating PV power
authors. PVplants
power wereplants were
installed installed
using design-using
design-to-installation technical
to-installation technical support
support providedprovided by the authors.
by the authors.

Figure 7. A 500 kW floating PV energy system at the Hapcheon Dam [11].

Figure
Figure 7. 500
7. A A 500
kWkWfloating
floatingPV
PV energy
energy system
systematatthe
theHapcheon
HapcheonDam [11].[11].
Dam
K-water Figure 7. A 500 akW
also conducted floating PV energyresearch
government-funded system at the Hapcheon
project Dam [11].Project (NRP)
National Research
for the development
K-water of a rotating
also conducted structure for the research
a government-funded tracking-type
projectofNational
floating PV energyProject
Research system. The
(NRP)
K-water
tracking
for alsogenerally
type conducted
the development of is
a ofathe
government-funded
rotatingform that tracks
structure researchofproject
the tracking-type
for the position theofsun NationalPV Research
by rotating
floating Project
the structure.
energy system. (NRP)
This
The
for the
the development
development
project
tracking was
typealso of a rotating
rotating
undertaken
generally structure
structure
is of thewith
form technical for
that tracks the tracking-type
forguidance
the tracking-type
from
the position of the of floating
of by
floating
authors,
the sun PV
fromPV
rotating energy
theenergy system.
the The
designsystem.
structure.ofThis
tracking type
structure’s
type
project generally
system
generally
was isofof
to is
the
also undertaken theform
the form
installation
with of
thatthat
technical tracks
thetracks
system,
the the
guidance position
including
position
from ofauthors,
mooring.
of the
the the
Thesun
sun byperiod
study
by rotating
rotating
from theproject
of the
the the ofstructure.
structure.
design the This
This waswasthree
structure’s
project
project years,
system
was
also also from
to theSeptember
installation
undertaken
undertaken with with2011 tosystem,
technical September
of technical
the 2014.
including
guidance
guidance During
mooring.
from
from this
The project,
studyfrom
thetheauthors,
authors, a tracking-type
period
from of the
the
the of
project
design
design of the
of
floating
was
structure’s PV
three
structure’s system energy
years,
system to to thesystem
from with
September
the installation
installation of100 kW
2011
of the tocapacity was
September
the system, installed
2014.
system, including at
During
including mooring. the Hapcheon
this
mooring. The project,
The study Dam
a in December
tracking-type
study period of
period of the project
2013, as shown
floating PV energyin Figure 8. with 100 kW capacity was installed at the Hapcheon Dam in December
was
was three
three years,
years, from system
from September
September 2011 2011 to to September
September 2014. 2014. During this project, a tracking-type
tracking-type of
2013, as shown in Figure 8.
floating PV energy system with 100 kW
kW capacity
capacity was
was installed
installed at the
the Hapcheon
Hapcheon Dam in December
December
2013, as shown in
in Figure
Figure 8.
8.

Figure 8. Tracking-type floating PV energy system installed at the Hapcheon Dam.

Figure 8. Tracking-type floating PV energy system installed at the Hapcheon Dam.

Figure
Figure 8.
8. Tracking-type floating PV
Tracking-type floating PV energy
energy system
system installed
installed at
at the
the Hapcheon
Hapcheon Dam.
Dam.
Sustainability 2016,
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333
1333 66 of
of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8,
8, 1333 6 of 99

It consisted of a four-unit structure with 24.8 kW generation capacity per unit. The internal
It consisted of a four-unit structure with 24.8 kW generation capacity per unit. The internal
rectangularly shaped
It consisted of a structure
four-unit hosts an operating
structure with 24.8device for rotation
kW generation and various
capacity electrical
per unit. The devices,
internal
rectangularly shaped structure hosts an operating device for rotation and various electrical devices,
as shown in Figure
rectangularly shaped9 [13–15].
structure hosts an operating device for rotation and various electrical devices, as
as shown in Figure 9 [13–15].
shown in Figure 9 [13–15].

Figure 9. Composition
Composition of the tracking-type
tracking-type floating PV energy system installed at the Hapcheon Dam.
Figure 9. Composition of the tracking-type floating PV energy system installed at the Hapcheon Dam.

In addition, a two-unit structure was installed as fixed units. One of these units served as a
In addition, a two-unit structure was installed as fixed units. One of these units served as a
units. One
passive tracking system to control the angle of the PV panel seasonally, and the other unit served as
passive
passive tracking
tracking system
systemtotocontrol
controlthe
theangle
angleofofthe
thePVPVpanel
panelseasonally, and
seasonally, thethe
and other unit
other served
unit as an
served as
an automatic tracking system to control the angle of the PV panel with respect to an optical sensor.
automatic tracking system to control the angle of the PV panel with respect to an optical sensor.
an automatic tracking system to control the angle of the PV panel with respect to an optical sensor.
In 2012, a floating PV power plant with 20 kW generation capacity that employs floating tracking
In 2012, a floating PV power plant with 20 kW kW generation
generation capacity
capacity that
that employs
employs floating
floating tracking
cooling concentrator (FTCC) technology was installed in Cheongju-si, as shown in Figure 10.
cooling concentrator (FTCC) technology was installed
installed in
in Cheongju-si,
Cheongju-si, asas shown
shown inin Figure
Figure 10.
10.

Figure
Figure 10. 10. Floating
Floating trackingtracking cooling concentrator
cooling concentrator (FTCC)at
(FTCC) system system at Cheongju-si
Cheongju-si [16]. [16].
Figure 10. Floating tracking cooling concentrator (FTCC) system at Cheongju-si [16].

This FTCC system was built by Techwin in in collaboration

collaboration with
with Koinè
Koinè Multimedia and Scienza
This FTCC system was built by Techwin in collaboration with Koinè Multimedia and Scienza
Industria Tecnologia (SCINTEC). In December 2012, the KRC Corporation installed a 30 kW floating
Industria Tecnologia (SCINTEC). In December 2012, the KRC Corporation installed a 30 kW floating
power plant
PV power plant at
atthe
theCheongho
CheonghoReservoir
Reservoir(in
(inBuan-myeon,
Buan-myeon,Gochang-gun,
Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do),
Jeollabuk-do), as as shown
shown in
PV power plant at the Cheongho Reservoir (in Buan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do), as shown
in Figure
Figure 11.11.
in Figure 11.
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 7 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 7 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 7 of 9

Figure
Figure 11. A
A 30
30 kW
kW floating
floating PV
PV power
power plant
plant at the Cheongho Reservoir.
Figure 11.
11. A 30 kW floating PV power plant at
at the
the Cheongho
Cheongho Reservoir.
Reservoir.

In addition, the KRC Corporation installed a 30 kW floating PV power plant at the Baengnyong
In addition, the KRC Corporation installed a 30 kW floating PV power plant at the Baengnyong
Reservoir (in Dasi-myeon, Naju-si,
Naju-si, Jeollanam-do) in
in July 2013,
2013, as shown
shown in Figure
Figure 12.
Reservoir (in Dasi-myeon,
Dasi-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do)
Jeollanam-do) in July
July 2013, as
as shown in
in Figure 12.
12.

Figure 12. A 30 kW floating PV power plant at the Baengnyong Reservoir.

Figure
Figure 12.
12. A
A 30
30 kW
kW floating
floating PV
PV power
power plant
plant at
at the
the Baengnyong
Baengnyong Reservoir.
Reservoir.
In June 2013, the first 1 MW class floating PV power plant in Korea was introduced at Dangjin-
In June 2013, the first 1 MW class floating PV power plant in Korea was introduced at Dangjin-
In June 2013, the first The
si, Chungcheongnam-do. 1 MW classEWP
Korea floating PV powerinstalled
Corporation plant in Korea was introduced
this floating PV poweratplant
Dangjin-si,
at the
si, Chungcheongnam-do. The Korea EWP Corporation installed this floating PV power plant at the
Chungcheongnam-do. The Korea
cooling water intake channel at the EWP Corporation
thermoelectric installed
power this
plant, as floating
shown PV power
in Figure 13. plant at the
cooling water intake channel at the thermoelectric power plant, as shown in Figure 13.
cooling water intake channel at the thermoelectric power plant, as shown in Figure 13.

Figure 13.
Figure 13. A 1 MW floating PV power plant at Dangjin-si.
13. A
Figure 1 MW floating PV power plant at Dangjin-si.

To date, this floating PV power plant has the largest generation capacity in Korea. This system
To date,
To date, this
this floating
floating PV
PV power
power plant
plant has
has the
the largest
largest generation
generation capacity
capacity in
in Korea.
Korea. This system
was designed and installed under guidance provided by the authors.
was designed
was designed and
and installed
installed under
under guidance
guidance provided
provided by by the
the authors.
authors.
The most recent rotation-type floating PV power plant in Korea was installed at Geumgwang
most recent
The most recent rotation-type
rotation-type floating Korea was
floating PV power plant in Korea was installed
installed at
at Geumgwang
Geumgwang
Reservoir (in Ansung-si, Gyeonggi-do) in August 2014 by the KRC Corporation, as shown in Figure 14.
Reservoir (in Ansung-si, Gyeonggi-do) in August 2014 by the KRC Corporation, as shown shown in
in Figure
Figure 14.
14.
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 8 of 9
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 8 of 9

Figure 14. A
Figure 14.465 kW kW
A 465 rotation-type floating
rotation-type PV PV
floating power plant
power at the
plant Geumgwang
at the Reservoir
Geumgwang [17].[17].
Reservoir

This floating PV power plant has 465 kW generation capacity. Although the overall rotation form
This floating PV power plant has 465 kW generation capacity. Although the overall rotation form
of this floating PV power plant is similar to that of the floating PV power plant installed by K-water
of this floating PV power plant is similar to that of the floating PV power plant installed by K-water
in Hapcheon, there is a significant difference in their rotating principles. The rotation system of the
in Hapcheon, there is a significant difference in their rotating principles. The rotation system of the
floating PV power plant installed by the KRC Corporation has a center post located at the center of
floating PV power plant installed by the KRC Corporation has a center post located at the center of
the overall structure in order to fix the post’s position in place and serve as the pivotal center of the
the overall structure in order to fix the post’s position in place and serve as the pivotal center of the
rotation. The rotating force of the system is provided by a rope anchored on land, whereby two piles
rotation. The rotating force of the system is provided by a rope anchored on land, whereby two piles
are driven into the earth and the rope is connected to the piles. It is easy to construct the rotation
are driven into the earth and the rope is connected to the piles. It is easy to construct the rotation
system for this type of floating PV power plant. However, it is difficult to apply this principle when
system for this type of floating PV power plant. However, it is difficult to apply this principle when
the differences in water level due to seasonal changes are significant, as is the case for the floating PV
the differences
power in water
plant installed bylevel due to
K-water in seasonal
Hapcheon.changes are significant, as is the case for the floating PV
power plant installed by K-water in Hapcheon.
In addition to the floating PV power plants installed to date, several plans for additional floating
In addition
PV power to thevarious
plants with floating PV power
generation plants are
capacities installed to date,
underway several
by many plans for additional
organizations including
floating PV power plants with various generation capacities are underway
government-funded companies. These installation trends are expected to continue by many organizations
due to the
including
government’sgovernment-funded
RPS program. companies. These installation trends are expected to continue due to
the government’s RPS program.
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
The review presented in this paper discusses the thirteen floating PV power plants that have
The review presented in this paper discusses the thirteen floating PV power plants that have been
been installed in Korea to date. Among them, the floating PV power plants installed before 2011 may
installed in Korea to date. Among them, the floating PV power plants installed before 2011 may be
be considered as test beds for research purposes. After 2011, commercial floating PV power plants
considered as test beds for research purposes. After 2011, commercial floating PV power plants were
were first introduced by the Korean Power GENCOs in Korea. Based on these trends, in January 2013,
first introduced by the Korean Power GENCOs in Korea. Based on these trends, in January 2013, the
the Korean government revised ‘Management and operation guidelines for renewable portfolio
Korean government revised ‘Management and operation guidelines for renewable portfolio standards
standards (Notification No. 2013-5 of the Ministry of Knowledge-Economy)’. In accordance with
(Notification No. 2013-5 of the Ministry of Knowledge-Economy)’. In accordance with these revised
these revised guidelines, the Korean government announced that the renewable energy certificate
guidelines, the Korean government announced that the renewable energy certificate (REC) value would
(REC) value would be 1.5 for floating PV systems, which is the same value as for the building-
be 1.5 for floating PV systems, which is the same value as for the building-integrated photovoltaic
integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system from the year 2013. If the government continues to support
(BIPV) system from the year 2013. If the government continues to support floating PV power plants,
floating PV power plants, then the installation of floating PV power plants with large capacities, such
then the installation of floating PV power plants with large capacities, such as multi-megawatt scales,
as multi-megawatt scales, will continue. Therefore, floating PV power generation systems may
will continue. Therefore, floating PV power generation systems may continue to be front-runners for
continue to be front-runners for renewable energy technologies in Korea for the future.
renewable energy technologies in Korea for the future.
Author Contributions:
Author Contributions:Soon-Jong
Soon-Jong Yoon
Yoon and and Ki-Bong
Ki-Bong Choi contributed
Choi contributed to conception
to conception and design,and
and design,
summarizedand
summarized the literatures; Sun-Hee Kim wrote the paper; Wonchang Choi revised the paper critically
the literatures; Sun-Hee Kim wrote the paper; Wonchang Choi revised the paper critically for important for
important organization
organization and final
and final version version
to be to be published.
published.

References
1. Choi, Y.K. A study on power generation analysis of floating PV system
system considering
considering environmental
environmental impact.
impact.
Int. J. Softw. Eng. Appl.
Appl. 2014, 8, 75–84.
2014, 8, 75–84. [CrossRef]
2. The Act
Acton onthe Promotion
the Promotionof Development, Use and
of Development, UseDissemination of Newofand
and Dissemination Renewable
New Energy. Available
and Renewable Energy.
online: http://www.lawnb.com/lawinfo/contents_view.asp?cid=8380981EC73E47D79AF2673FED5B779D\
Available online: http://www.lawnb.com/lawinfo/contents_view.asp?cid=8380981EC73E47D79AF2673
T1\textbar{}0\T1\textbar{}K
FED5B779D|0|K (accessed on(accessed on 29 2016).
29 November November 2016).
3. Lee, Y.G.; Joo, H.J.; Yoon, S.J. Design and installation of floating type photovoltaic energy generation
system using FRP members. Sol. Energy 2014, 108, 13–27.
Sustainability 2016, 8, 1333 9 of 9

3. Lee, Y.G.; Joo, H.J.; Yoon, S.J. Design and installation of floating type photovoltaic energy generation system
using FRP members. Sol. Energy 2014, 108, 13–27. [CrossRef]
4. Trapani, K.; Santafé, M.R. A review of floating photovoltaic installation: 2007–2013. Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl.
2015, 23, 524–532. [CrossRef]
5. Yoon, S.J. Development of Environment Friendly Floating Type Photovoltaic Generation System for the Effective Land
Use; Technical Report; Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion: Seoul, Korea, 2011.
6. Joo, H.J.; Lee, N.H.; Lee, S.W. Floating photovoltaic power generation system. Mag. Korean Soc. Adv. Compos.
Struct. 2013, 4, 31–39.
7. Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. (KOSPO). Available online: http://www.kospo.co.kr (assessed on 29
November 2016). (In Korean)
8. Choi, H.; Joo, H.J.; Kim, K.S.; Yoon, S.J. Structural design for the development of the floating type photovoltaic
energy generation system. Mater. Sci. Forum 2010, 654–656, 2803–2806. [CrossRef]
9. Nam, J.H. Development of Floating Type Photovoltaic Energy Generation System Using the Pultruded
Structural Members. Ph.D. Thesis, Hongik University, Seoul, Korea, 2010.
10. Lee, Y.G.; Joo, H.J.; Nam, J.H.; Yoon, S.J. Modified design of floating type photovoltaic energy generation
system. J. Korean Soc. Adv. Compos. Struct. 2010, 1, 19–27.
11. K-Water. Available online: http://www.kwater.or.kr (assessed on 29 November 2016). (In Korean)
12. Choi, Y.K.; Lee, N.H.; Kim, K.J. Empirical research on the efficiency of floating PV systems compared
with overland PV systems. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Circuits, Control,
Communication, Electricity, Electronics, Energy, System, Signal and Simulation (CES-CUBE 2013), Guam,
USA, 18–20 July 2013.
13. Choi, Y.K.; Lee, N.H.; Kim, K.J. A study on major design elements of tracking-type floating photovoltaic
systems. Int. J. Smarty Grid Clean Energy 2014, 3, 70–74. [CrossRef]
14. Choi, Y.K.; Lee, Y.G. A study on development of rotary structure for tracking-type floating photovoltaic
system. Int. J. Precis. Eng. Manuf. 2014, 15, 2453–2460. [CrossRef]
15. Kim, S.H.; Lee, Y.G.; Seo, S.H.; Joo, H.J.; Yoon, S.J. Structural design and installation of tracking-type floating
PV generation system. Compos. Res. 2014, 27, 59–65. [CrossRef]
16. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources. Available online: http://solarserdar.wordpress.com/2012/
03/03/floating-tracking-cooling-concentrator-ftcc (accessed on 3 March 2012). (In Korean)
17. Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC). Available online: http://www.ekr.or.kr (assessed on 29
November 2016). (In Korean)

© 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).