On the 5th, Lotte Engineering & Construction announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for joint technology development of a next-generation glass to steel (GtoS) bonding method for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems with Hyundai Steel, Hanwha Solutions, Samhwa Paints, EPSCORE, and Korea University.
The signing ceremony held on the 4th at the Hyundai Steel Pangyo office in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, was attended by Seok Won-kyun, head of Lotte Engineering & Construction's research institute, Lim Hee-joong, head of product development at Hyundai Steel, Yoo Jae-yeol, head of the Korean division at Hanwha Solutions, Kim Jeong-bae, CBO of Samhwa Paints, Park Seong-cheol, CEO of EPSCORE, and Hwang Seong-ho, a professor at Korea University's KU-KIST Green School.
This agreement aims to proactively respond to the mandatory implementation of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) and improve the performance and accelerate the application of GtoS BIPV systems. Hyundai Steel and Samhwa Paints will promote systematic joint development from the material stage.
Lotte Engineering & Construction will validate the applicability of the developed products based on its ZEB technology and construction capabilities. Hanwha Solutions will collaborate based on its expertise in renewable energy, while EPSCORE, a specialized BIPV manufacturer, will play a central role in module development. Korea University will conduct academic verification and provide consultation.
The GtoS (glass and steel bonding) BIPV solar modules can achieve weight reduction by manufacturing the front with glass and the back with steel, unlike the existing GtoG (double-sided glass bonding) method. It does not require the attachment of aluminum frames with low melting points, making it more fire-resistant when integrated, and it is evaluated as a construction method with high potential for future development and application.
Lotte Engineering & Construction has been developing GtoS BIPV in collaboration with EPSCORE since last year. A pilot facility has been established at its headquarters building in Jamwon-dong, Seoul, and performance evaluations are being conducted on-site. A representative from Lotte Engineering & Construction explained that this joint research through the agreement could not only lead to improved GtoS BIPV technology but also contribute to the expansion of the BIPV market and the realization of carbon neutrality.
A representative from the technology research institute of Lotte Engineering & Construction stated, "Through this agreement, we plan to secure a BIPV integrated value chain that encompasses the development, manufacturing, and application of BIPV materials in collaboration with industry and academia," adding, "We will also play an active role in leading the BIPV market and advancing into the global market."