‘Solar Cell Steel Sheet’ Increases Solar Efficiency by 30%

DONGKUK COATED METAL has developed the world’s first ultra-high-reflective roofing material that can increase solar power generation efficiency by up to 30%. On the 1st, the company announced the launch of its dedicated Solar Cell Color Coated Steel Sheet. This product enhances the efficiency of solar panels by reflecting more sunlight from the rooftop surface.

After more than a year of research, DONGKUK COATED METAL developed this product in response to the expansion of renewable energy and the growing adoption of bifacial solar panels. Unlike conventional panels, bifacial solar panels generate electricity from both the front and rear sides. By increasing the amount of sunlight reflected from the roof, more light reaches the rear side of the panel, thereby boosting power generation.

The Solar Cell Color Coated Steel Sheet boasts a light reflectance rate of 80–85%, which is nearly 30% higher than standard roofing materials that typically reflect only 50–60%. Among building materials used for roofing, this is the highest level, allowing the power generation efficiency of bifacial solar panels to increase by up to 30%.

The product also addresses the major issue of corrosion in roofing materials. With its proprietary SLX Plating Technology, DONGKUK COATED METAL precisely controls the ratio of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium, resulting in more than double the rust resistance compared to conventional steel sheets.

The material remains undamaged even when bent or processed. This technology has been filed for international patents in countries including South Korea and Japan.

An innovative ‘dual-layer structure’ has also been applied, allowing the front and back surfaces of the steel sheet to be designed differently. The front, which is exposed to sunlight, and the back, which comes into contact with insulation, are engineered separately to prevent corrosion. The surface coating maintains its quality for 20 years, while the plated layer lasts for 30 years.

Choi Woochan, head of the Technology Research Center at DONGKUK COATED METAL, stated, “Higher reflectance also lowers rooftop temperatures, which helps save building energy. As the global solar market expands and eco-friendly construction becomes more widespread, this material is poised to become a core component.”

This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.