OCI Power Produces KACO Inverters in Korea… Providing Advanced Technical Support and Warranty Services

[Industry News, Reporter Jeong Hyeong-woo] OCI Power, established in 2012 as a wholly owned subsidiary of OCI, develops, manufactures, and sells solar inverters and PCS for ESS while conducting environmentally friendly renewable energy businesses including solar IPP, EPC, and ESS system deployment.

OCI Power aims to become a Global Leading Green Energy Company that maximizes customer value and delivers a successful future in the renewable energy sector. Drawing on extensive experience, the company focuses on conveniently providing customers with the solutions required at project sites through one-stop services.
 
In particular, OCI Power’s relationship with KACO New Energy began during the construction of a 600MW solar power plant in Texas, United States. Building on that relationship, OCI Power acquired KACO New Energy’s Korean operations in January 2019. Since then, the company has combined its own R&D capabilities with KACO New Energy’s technology to develop solutions required for solar power generation, with the developed products manufactured at its Gunsan plant.

Industry News met with Nam Jae-ik, Part Leader at OCI Power, who is helping enhance the quality of Korea’s solar power industry through KACO New Energy technology, to discuss OCI Power’s vision and key issues in Korea’s solar inverter market.

Could you introduce the inverter products OCI Power is focusing on and its plans for new product launches?

Small-scale power plants below 500kW account for a significant share of the solar power market, and most use low-capacity inverters in the 20–80kW range. As a result, only a limited number of inverter companies focus on developing and supplying large-capacity inverters above 500kW. OCI Power launched the “OP500,” a 500kW outdoor product for large-scale power plants, in 2019 and is currently focusing on sales. We also offer 20kW and 50kW small-capacity product lines whose technological capabilities have already been recognized by customers.

In preparation for the expected expansion of 1500V systems beginning next year, we have also developed the “BP125,” a 125kW product with a maximum efficiency of 99.2%. Development of 2,000kW- and 3,000kW-class inverters for 1500V systems and large-scale power plants is also nearing completion. In addition, we have launched a 20-channel combiner box optimized for use with our large-capacity inverters and have completed preparations to sell the products as an integrated package.
 
Imported products account for a large share of Korea’s inverter market. OCI Power’s core brand is also the German brand KACO, but we understand that there are differences compared with typical imported products. What are they?

Imported products are widely used in Korea’s solar power market, particularly in the inverter sector. OCI Power imports its small-capacity inverters as finished products from Germany, but other products are manufactured at our Gunsan plant using German technology, ensuring high levels of component quality, reliability, and overall product quality. Our own R&D center employs Korean researchers and technical engineers, enabling high-quality technical support. We also maintain substantial inventories and have infrastructure such as engineers and repair kits that allow us to repair even the small-capacity products imported as finished units.

Price competition in the solar inverter market is intensifying. How is OCI Power responding?

Along with the continued decline in REC prices, solar development in forests and mountainous areas, which had expanded rapidly, has effectively lost momentum due to Korea’s geographical limitations and deteriorating public sentiment caused by some cases of indiscriminate development. As a result, competition among equipment suppliers has intensified because suitable locations for new projects have become increasingly limited. At the same time, floating solar is attracting attention as a new market alongside the government’s plan to develop the Saemangeum renewable energy complex.

The KACO inverters supplied by OCI Power are fundamentally designed to withstand salt-damage environments, and we also plan to obtain certification for the highest level of salt-damage resistance. Because salt-damage protection ratings are required for installations within 2km of coastal areas, these products are well suited to locations such as Saemangeum.
 
The mandatory use of KS-certified solar inverters was recently introduced. What are your views on this requirement, and how are you responding?

We believe mandatory KS certification for solar inverters is ultimately the right direction because inverters are one of the key pieces of equipment in a solar power system. The important issue is that only a limited number of products from certain manufacturers have currently obtained KS certification. It is important to provide sufficient time for companies that are already supplying high-quality products based on strong technological capabilities to complete the certification process. We have been steadily preparing for certification since last year and plan to complete all required procedures and obtain certification for every product we sell before the requirements take effect.

What is your outlook for the solar market and, in particular, the inverter market, and what are OCI Power’s plans?

A large number of solar power plants were installed through last year, with the market recording rapid annual growth. However, a substantial proportion of the plants installed through recently were projects that had already completed permitting procedures in previous years. New projects are expected to face difficulties due to restrictions on suitable plant locations and limitations in KEPCO grid capacity. In addition, as low-cost imported equipment continues to be supplied across the market, not only inverters, competition is expected to intensify further.

OCI Power has established a strong brand image and customer trust in Korea and has accumulated export and installation track records in major markets including Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. Building on this experience, we plan to continue working to expand our domestic market share while pursuing additional opportunities overseas.

Source : 인더스트리뉴스 (Industry News)