Jindo County is advancing its 'Sunshine Income Village' initiative, which aims to return solar power generation profits to the community. The plan seeks to lower the initial investment burden on residents by utilizing the Local Extinction Response Fund, creating a structure where profits from power generation contribute to the village's collective income.
According to Jindo County, Hanui Village in Gunnae-myeon was selected in the first round of the '2026 Sunshine Income Village' application process, overseen by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The Sunshine Income Village program allows residents to form cooperatives and directly participate in renewable energy projects, sharing the profits generated. A portion of these profits will be used for community welfare and revitalization.
In the first round of applications this year, 129 villages nationwide applied, with 86 ultimately selected.
Jindo County plans to focus on reducing the initial financial burden on residents during the project implementation. The county is considering supporting part of the 15% of the total project cost that residents are responsible for through the Local Extinction Response Fund.
This approach aims to lower residents' financing and financial costs, ensuring that profits from solar power generation are more effectively returned to the community.
There is also potential for expansion. Currently, nine additional villages have applied in the ongoing second round of applications. Depending on the selection results, community-based renewable energy projects could expand throughout the region.
Jindo County intends to promote the Sunshine Income Village initiative as a model that links income generation for residents with the revitalization of local communities, going beyond mere solar power generation.
Lee Jae-gak, the mayor of Jindo County, stated, "The Sunshine Income Village allows residents to become owners of the project, achieving energy welfare and creating a sustainable local circular economy. We will support reducing residents' financial burdens and ensure that power generation profits translate into income for the community."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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