South Korea is set to enact new legislation in 2024 aimed at promoting agrivoltaics, which will allow solar panels to be installed on farmland. The initiative, discussed by Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung during meetings with farmers and solar energy companies, is focused on establishing a legal framework for these solar installations. The proposed law, expected to be drafted this year and implemented in the first half of next year, aims to prevent overdevelopment while ensuring food security and distributing profits among local communities.
At a recent agrivoltaics demonstration site in Cheongju, Minister Song reiterated the government’s commitment to this innovative approach to agriculture and energy production. The ministry intends for the new regulations to guide the appropriate locations for solar infrastructure through rural spatial planning. This announcement comes in light of local concerns surrounding future agrivoltaic projects. The ministry has cautioned against speculative media coverage, noting that agrivoltaics are still in the pilot phase. Earlier this year, South Korean researchers projected that solar energy would likely become the most cost-effective power source in the country by the early 2030s, further underscoring the importance of the upcoming legislation.