South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) announced a new regulation, effective November 28, 2025, requiring all public parking lots exceeding 1,000 square meters in area to install solar power systems. This follows the Cabinet's approval of amendments to the country's Renewable Energy Act.
The decree stipulates that from late November, all public parking lots operated by national, regional, or municipal governments must install renewable energy systems, such as solar power arrays.
According to the MCEE, parking lots with a total area of at least 1,000 square meters must install systems with a power generation capacity of at least 1 kilowatt per 10 square meters, and a total power generation capacity of at least 100 kilowatts.
The ministry stated that this move aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in urban areas with grid access and improve land use efficiency by utilizing solar power in public parking lots. Previously, the ministry had expanded the reach of renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) for power producers and the mandatory installation of renewable energy systems in public buildings.
The department will consult with local governments and public agencies to finalize the implementation plan and coordinate renewable energy policy objectives. According to the South Korean Ministry of Energy and Economy, starting in December, regional briefings will be held in 11 metropolitan areas, including Seoul, and new promotional materials will be provided to assist in promoting implementation.
In an online statement, the South Korean Ministry of Energy, Environment and Energy (MCEE) stated, “Mandatory installation of renewable energy facilities in public parking lots is a way to improve the country’s land-use efficiency by leveraging the public sector’s leadership role in renewable energy deployment. We will continue to expand the adoption of renewable energy through various channels to contribute to achieving a decarbonized green transition.”
This new regulation mandating the installation of renewable energy facilities in public parking lots complements a series of recent initiatives in South Korea aimed at promoting the application of solar energy in multiple sectors. For example, in October, the South Korean central government released a draft legislation to establish a legal framework for agricultural-solar integration, allowing the installation of solar facilities on farmland while ensuring food security.
Furthermore, the Korean Institute of Technology and Standards (KATS) recently released a national standard for photovoltaic thermal (PVT) modules. The agency noted that 10 South Korean manufacturers are currently active in the field and stated they are working towards international standardization to support eventual global expansion.
South Korea expects to add approximately 2.5 gigawatts of solar power capacity in 2024, bringing its cumulative photovoltaic capacity to approximately 29.5 gigawatts as of the beginning of this year.
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) announced a new regulation, effective November 28, 2025, requiring all public parking lots exceeding 1,000 square meters in area to install solar power systems. This follows the Cabinet's approval of amendments to the country's Renewable Energy Act.
The decree stipulates that from late November, all public parking lots operated by national, regional, or municipal governments must install renewable energy systems, such as solar power arrays.
According to the MCEE, parking lots with a total area of at least 1,000 square meters must install systems with a power generation capacity of at least 1 kilowatt per 10 square meters, and a total power generation capacity of at least 100 kilowatts.
The ministry stated that this move aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in urban areas with grid access and improve land use efficiency by utilizing solar power in public parking lots. Previously, the ministry had expanded the reach of renewable energy through the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) for power producers and the mandatory installation of renewable energy systems in public buildings.
The department will consult with local governments and public agencies to finalize the implementation plan and coordinate renewable energy policy objectives. According to the South Korean Ministry of Energy and Economy, starting in December, regional briefings will be held in 11 metropolitan areas, including Seoul, and new promotional materials will be provided to assist in promoting implementation.
In an online statement, the South Korean Ministry of Energy, Environment and Energy (MCEE) stated, “Mandatory installation of renewable energy facilities in public parking lots is a way to improve the country’s land-use efficiency by leveraging the public sector’s leadership role in renewable energy deployment. We will continue to expand the adoption of renewable energy through various channels to contribute to achieving a decarbonized green transition.”
This new regulation mandating the installation of renewable energy facilities in public parking lots complements a series of recent initiatives in South Korea aimed at promoting the application of solar energy in multiple sectors. For example, in October, the South Korean central government released a draft legislation to establish a legal framework for agricultural-solar integration, allowing the installation of solar facilities on farmland while ensuring food security.
Furthermore, the Korean Institute of Technology and Standards (KATS) recently released a national standard for photovoltaic thermal (PVT) modules. The agency noted that 10 South Korean manufacturers are currently active in the field and stated they are working towards international standardization to support eventual global expansion.
South Korea expects to add approximately 2.5 gigawatts of solar power capacity in 2024, bringing its cumulative photovoltaic capacity to approximately 29.5 gigawatts as of the beginning of this year.
