Countries with the highest proportion of new construction and buildings using renewable energy and their context in Asia

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Top 8 countries with the highest proportion of new construction and construction using renewable energy
Status of buildings using renewable energy in Asia
How was Germany able to successfully expand construction using solar energy?
Korea’s solar energy industry failure and direction

Top 8 countries with the highest proportion of new construction and construction using renewable energy

1. Germany : Germany is a leader in renewable energy adoption, raising renewable energy use to 46% in 2022.

With the goal of achieving 65% renewable energy use by 2030, many cities have adopted mandatory solar energy installations on rooftops starting in January 2023.

“In the states of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia, installation of solar panels on building roofs is already mandatory, and in the states of Berlin, Hamburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, it is already mandatory to install solar panels on building roofs by 2023. We adopted a mandatory introduction law as of the 1st of the month.”

Germany is not the first country to mandate rooftop solar installation. California has already required solar panels to be installed on the roofs of all new homes. Germany's solar installation mandate comes several years after California cities announced renewable energy mandates. " Lancaster passed a solar mandate for new homes in 2013, Sebastopol passed solar mandates for new homes and new commercial buildings a short while later, and Santa Monica , Culver City and San Francisco passed them in subsequent years. In 2017 , South Miami became the first U.S. city outside of California to mandate solar energy for new homes .

Many new buildings in Germany incorporate renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps. The German government aims to expand the use of renewable energy to 65% by 2030 with an ambitious renewable energy transition law known as "Energiewende" that will encourage the use of renewable energy in a variety of sectors, including construction.

22 years, 5 countries and continents

Renewable Energy Usage Rate

2. Sweden : Sweden has been actively promoting green building practices, and a significant proportion of new construction projects in Sweden include renewable energy solutions, energy-efficient design, and sustainable materials.

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3. Denmark : Denmark is another European country that is focusing on renewable energy and sustainable building practices. Danish construction projects often include features such as heat pumps, solar panels, and energy-efficient design.

4. Norway : Norway's commitment to renewable energy and sustainability has extended to the construction sector. New buildings in Norway often feature renewable energy systems such as geothermal heating and cooling and advanced insulation.

5. Austria : Austria has made significant progress in adopting renewable energy technologies in the building sector. Solar panels and biomass heating systems in general are being incorporated into almost all new construction projects.

6. China : China is rapidly increasing the use of renewable energy in new construction, especially in urban areas. Solar panels and heat pumps are often integrated into residential and commercial buildings.

7. United States : In the United States, adoption of renewable energy in new buildings depends on state and local regulations. Some states, such as California, have mandated that new residential buildings include solar panels.

8. Australia : Australia has been encouraging the adoption of solar energy, and many new homes in the country are equipped with solar panels. In some areas, there are legal requirements for solar installation on new home construction.

Status of buildings using renewable energy in Asia

Here are some Asian countries that are working to integrate renewable energy into new construction:

Japan : In response to the Fukushima nuclear accident, interest in renewable energy has increased. Solar panels, in particular, have been widely adopted in residential and commercial buildings. The government has introduced incentives to encourage the use of renewable energy in new construction.
South Korea : South Korea has been working to promote renewable energy in a variety of sectors, including construction. Solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling systems are increasingly being used in new building projects, but the country is disgracefully ranked among the lowest among OECD countries.
China : China is a world leader in renewable energy adoption, and this also applies to the construction sector. Many new buildings in urban areas are equipped with solar panels, and there is a growing emphasis on energy efficient building practices.
India : India is actively promoting solar energy adoption and solar panels are being incorporated into new construction projects, especially in areas with high solar energy potential. Government incentives and programs aim to encourage the use of renewable energy.
Singapore : Singapore is increasingly using renewable energy in new construction, with a focus on solar power. The government has introduced plans to encourage green building practices and energy efficiency.
Taiwan : Taiwan has taken steps to encourage the adoption of renewable energy, including solar panels, in new construction projects. The government is providing incentives to promote the use of solar energy.
Thailand : Thailand has seen a significant increase in the use of solar panels in new buildings, especially commercial and industrial buildings. Government policies and incentives are doing much to increase the adoption of renewable energy.

Vietnam's dependence on renewable energy 25.3%

Vietnam has made significant progress in adopting renewable energy, including incorporating renewable energy into new construction projects. Solar energy, in particular, has been central to Vietnam's efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Solar Energy : Vietnam is one of the fastest growing solar energy markets in Southeast Asia. Solar panels are increasingly being installed on new construction, including residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The government has introduced feed-in tariffs and incentives to promote solar energy adoption.

2. Wind energy : Although solar energy has been the main focus, Vietnam is also rapidly expanding into wind energy projects. Some new construction projects in windy coastal areas have integrated wind turbines to generate electricity.

3. Government Initiatives : The Vietnamese government has set renewable energy targets and aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix. A variety of policies and incentives have been introduced to encourage the use of renewable energy, including in the construction sector.

4. Energy efficiency : In addition to renewable energy, energy efficient building design and practices are gaining attention in Vietnam. New construction projects often focus on reducing energy consumption through better insulation, efficient HVAC systems, and lighting.

5. Hydropower : Vietnam has a long history of hydropower, and some new construction projects may include small-scale hydropower systems, especially in rural areas.

It is worth noting that Vietnam's renewable energy environment is dynamic and the country's policies and priorities may change over time, and the country's renewable energy dependence rate (25.3%) is significantly better than that of Korea (6%). It is shown as .

How does Germany go solar?

Could we have succeeded in expanding energy-efficient construction?

The use of renewable energy accounts for 46% of Germany's electricity consumption by 2022, with a goal of reaching 65% in 30 years.

Over the past 22 1/2 years, there has been a 22% increase in solar system installations in Germany compared to the same period in 21 years, according to data shared with CNN Business by the German Solar Association. This includes residential and commercial uses, from small installations on private rooftops to large-scale solar farms, the group said. For companies in the renewable energy industry, this has led to a surge in sales.

Demand for solar power was already growing in Germany, Europe's largest renewable country, as energy prices soared by 15% and the adoption of renewable energy technologies became more mainstream once policy incentives were introduced. But these days, German citizens and consumers are still facing higher utility bills than ever before, hotter temperatures and new anxieties about whether they will be able to stay warm this winter.

On the other hand, in the winter of 2022, many people in Korea also protested against the explosive rise in gas prices, but I think the biggest problem is that no households, media, or voices were heard or seen switching to solar power or other renewable energy. In Korea, the lack of practical use of renewable energy is a complex problem caused by the government, private companies, and the public's lack of awareness and will, and I am very worried about where this country is headed in the face of the reality that it will have to pay large costs in the future.

Policies and support for expanding renewable energy use in Germany

Strong government policies and incentives : Germany has implemented strong policies and incentives to promote solar energy adoption. The most notable policy is the Feed In Tariff (FIT) system, which guarantees fixed payments to solar energy producers over a set period of time. This provided a stable and attractive return on investment for solar panel installation.
Supportive regulatory environment : Germany’s regulatory environment is conducive to renewable energy. This includes grid access for solar producers, a simplified permitting process, and net metering to feed excess energy back into the grid.
Public awareness and support : There is strong public support for renewable energy in Germany. The transition to clean energy, known as “Energiewende”, is widely accepted. This support has been critical to maintaining political will and driving solar energy expansion.
Investment in research and development : Germany focuses on research and development in the solar energy sector. This has led to innovations in solar technology, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Integration with other energy sources : Germany's approach to energy transition includes integrating solar energy with other renewable resources such as wind and biomass. This ensures a more stable and reliable energy supply.
Public and private investment : Both the public and private sectors have made significant investments in solar energy infrastructure. The availability of financing options, grants and subsidies has encouraged investment in solar projects.
Local initiatives : Many local governments in Germany have their own renewable energy goals and initiatives, contributing to the expansion of solar energy at the local level.
Grid expansion and modernization : Germany has been investing in grid expansion and modernization to accommodate the intermittent nature of solar and other renewable energy sources. This ensures that the power grid can handle the increased capacity.
Continuous monitoring and adjustment : The German government regularly reviews its renewable energy policy and adjusts it as needed to address changing challenges and problems in the solar energy sector.
International cooperation : Germany collaborates with other countries on solar energy research, development and best practices. This exchange of knowledge and experience is helping us to make further progress.

Germany has made significant progress in expanding the use of solar energy, but there are challenges such as intermittency and the need for energy storage solutions. Additionally, the government has set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, which will require continued effort and innovation.

The success of expanding solar energy use will depend on maintaining political support, adapting to changing market conditions, and investing in technological advancements and grid infrastructure. Germany's experience is serving as a valuable model for other countries seeking to accelerate the adoption of solar energy.

Korea’s solar energy industry failure and direction

In a country where Korea's renewable energy dependence rate is 6%, the policy push toward almost shutting down the solar energy industry means that many people are realizing that they may end up paying 10 times more energy costs like Germany, and that all households are switching to renewable energy. , it appears that it is time for firm legal regulation as the No. 1 national innovation task so that it can be used from large corporations to small self-employed businesses.