Researchers at the Korea Maritime Institute have proposed “solar trees” as a way to generate electricity in forests without large-scale clearing. Published in Scientific Reports on 19 August 2025, the study modeled a 1 MW site in Goseong County and found that 63 solar trees could match the output of a traditional solar farm.
Conventional flat solar arrays often erase nearly all canopy cover; in South Korea, over 2,400 hectares of forest were cleared in 2018 alone for solar development. By contrast, solar trees—elevated PV panels designed like branches—can preserve up to 99% of forests, as they are spaced along paths and boundaries, allowing sunlight to filter through.
The study highlights land cost as a critical factor: in Korea, land acquisition can exceed plant construction costs. Solar trees, despite higher upfront build prices, may prove competitive by reducing ground use. Policymakers are urged to reorient incentives away from hill-clearing arrays and toward canopy-friendly models. The design also mirrors global agrivoltaics efforts that combine energy with ecological or agricultural uses.
The authors stress the limits: results come from a single-site simulation under standard conditions. Pilots across varied terrain and long-term performance data are still needed before scaling. For regulators, the findings provide a template for integrating biodiversity and renewable goals without sacrificing output.
