This study examined the Mandatory Renewable Energy Facility Installation System for public institutions in South Korea, focusing on its implementation status, challenges, and policy implications. Utilizing data from 6,469 installations collected by the Korea Energy Agency's New and Renewable Energy Center, complemented by surveys, on-site investigations, and in-depth interviews, this research evaluated overall performance and proposed strategic improvements. The analysis revealed that, while solar photovoltaic (71.0%) and geothermal systems (22.3%) dominate installations, certain technologies, particularly fuel cells, experience a high rate of operational discontinuance due to economic constraints, limited technical expertise, and inadequate maintenance frameworks. To address these issues, this study recommends: (1) clarifying eligibility criteria and specifying which institutions are subject to the mandate; (2) integrating mandatory real-time monitoring via the Renewable Energy Management System; (3) strengthening institutional support through maintenance subsidies, incentive–penalty schemes, and performance-based assessment; and (4) strengthening the role of local governments and enhancing coordination with central government. Together, these measures seek to ensure sustained operational effectiveness of public sector renewable energy facilities, advancing South Korea's carbon neutrality goals and the transition towards cleaner energy.
Seo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.