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).
Global Competition in the Solar Industry
The solar power industry has rapidly evolved into one of the most competitive sectors in the global energy economy. Unlike traditional fossil fuel markets, where resource availability determines influence, the solar industry is driven primarily by technological innovation and industrial manufacturing capacity.
At the heart of this competition lies a complex value chain that includes polysilicon production, wafer manufacturing, solar cell fabrication, module assembly, and power plant development. Each stage of this process requires specialized technology, capital investment, and supply chain coordination.
Over the past decade, large-scale manufacturing expansion has significantly reshaped global market dynamics. Countries capable of building integrated production ecosystems have gained substantial cost advantages.
China, for example, has developed extensive manufacturing capacity across multiple stages of the solar supply chain. Meanwhile, the United States and Europe have responded with policy initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic renewable energy manufacturing capabilities.
These developments demonstrate that solar energy has become a central arena of industrial policy competition.
For Korea, maintaining a competitive position within this evolving landscape requires strategic coordination between technological development, industrial investment, and policy design.
Korea’s advanced semiconductor industry provides a strong technological foundation for high-efficiency solar cells and next-generation photovoltaic technologies. However, supply chain diversification and long-term industrial planning remain essential.
The future competitiveness of solar industries will depend less on installation volume and more on the ability to develop resilient ecosystems that integrate research, manufacturing, finance, and infrastructure.
The book “K-Solar & Space Solar 2035 Dual Growth Project” examines these structural transformations and proposes strategic pathways for strengthening Korea’s long-term solar competitiveness.
In an era defined by technological competition, solar power is emerging not only as a clean energy solution but also as a strategic industrial platform.
