This five-part guest column series is based on Park Sang-Nam’s recently published book, “K-Solar & Space Solar 2035: Dual Growth Project.” The series examines the future of solar energy, the transformation of global renewable energy markets, and the strategic implications of linking terrestrial solar expansion with next-generation technologies such as space-based solar power (SSP).
Across the series, the author analyzes how renewable energy technologies, industrial policy, and technological innovation are reshaping national energy strategies. A central framework is the “Dual Growth Strategy,” which calls for the simultaneous development of ground-based solar infrastructure and long-term R&D into space-based solar power systems.
Through this perspective, the columns aim to contribute to international discussions on energy security, carbon neutrality, and the emerging architecture of global energy systems. -- Ed.
Series Index
1. Solar Power as a Strategic National Industry
2. Global Competition in the Solar Industry
3. Understanding the Economics of Solar Power
4. The Technology Race in Solar Cells
5. Space Solar Power and the Energy Strategy of 2035
By Park Sang-Nam,
CEO, Global Consulting Corp (hgradf@naver.com).
Solar Power Becomes a Strategic National Industry
The global energy system is entering a period of profound transformation. Climate change, energy security concerns, and the restructuring of industrial supply chains are reshaping how nations produce and manage energy resources. At the center of this transformation stands solar power.
For decades, solar energy was viewed primarily as a supplementary renewable resource. Governments promoted solar installations largely as environmental policy instruments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, technological progress over the past twenty years has fundamentally changed the economic structure of the industry.
Solar photovoltaic generation costs have fallen by nearly ninety percent since the early 2000s. Improvements in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced materials, and large-scale production capacity have dramatically reduced costs while increasing efficiency. As a result, solar energy has moved from the margins of the energy sector to its center.
Today, solar power is not simply an environmental technology. It is a strategic industry closely linked to semiconductor technology, advanced manufacturing, and national infrastructure planning.
Countries around the world now view renewable energy not only as a climate solution but also as an issue of industrial competitiveness. Governments in the United States, Europe, and Asia are investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure as part of broader economic transformation strategies.
For Korea, the solar industry presents both an opportunity and a strategic challenge. Korea possesses strong technological capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing and precision industrial engineering. These strengths can provide a foundation for high-efficiency solar cell production and next-generation renewable energy technologies.
At the same time, the global solar market has become intensely competitive. Manufacturing capacity, supply chain stability, and policy coordination all influence the long-term sustainability of national solar industries.
In this context, solar power must be understood not merely as a power generation technology but as part of a comprehensive industrial ecosystem involving materials science, electronics, grid infrastructure, financial systems, and regulatory policy.
The future of energy will depend on how effectively nations integrate these elements into coherent strategies.
This broader strategic perspective forms the central theme of the book “K-Solar & Space Solar 2035 Dual Growth Project.” The study explores how solar power can evolve from a renewable energy technology into a foundational component of long-term national development strategies.
As the global energy transition accelerates, countries that treat solar power as a strategic industry rather than a supplementary technology will be better positioned to shape the energy economy of the future.
