According to experts, the government should provide additional incentives and loans to encourage people to switch to solar energy generating.
Decharut Sukkumnoed, an economics lecturer at Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Agricultural and Resource Economics, believes that if the state offered better financial incentives, such as higher prices for households that sell electricity back to the grid and loans for solar panel installation, the number of solar-powered households would skyrocket.
The state’s rooftop solar program is part of the national electricity development plan, which runs from 2018 to 2037. Within two decades, the strategy aims to increase renewable energy generation to 20,776MW, with half of that coming from solar panels. However, the campaign for renewables has only succeeded in generating roughly 20MW, far short of the 100MW objective set for 2019.
Rooftop solar’s acceptance has been so low that the Energy Ministry decided last month to redirect 10,000 megawatts presently allocated to the scheme to other renewable energy sources, such as waste-to-energy programs.
“Solar panels may supply electricity for up to 25 years, making them a worthwhile long-term investment. Despite its benefits, though, the policy requires a boost. Mr Decharut said the “1st Jaras Forum” that the state should spend more money on solar-based electricity from rooftop producers “On Thursday, at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre. The purpose of the event was to promote the development of renewable energy sources.
Mr Decharut, who had solar panels installed at his home, believes the state’s proposed household solar electricity cost of 1.68 baht per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is insufficiently enticing. Instead, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) should offer a rate that is closer to the 4 baht/kWh that it already charges residential customers.
He believes the state should also issue additional loans to encourage people to install solar panels on their homes.
“The total cost of the system is roughly 200,000 baht. There would be more public access to solar energy if there was a lending scheme for solar cells. Because it is derived from the sun, it belongs to all of us. However, the question is if the government is willing to purchase and provide additional financial assistance “Mr. Decharut stated.
Consumers may adopt a more energy-conscious mindset as a result of the household solar program, he suggested.
“We take electricity for granted at the moment since we simply use and pay for it. We never consider where it comes from or whether it has an influence on the environment “He went on to say.
The structure of the solar business in Thailand, according to Tanapong Rangsinthurat, managing director of Solar Express Co Ltd, is the polar opposite of that in industrialized countries such as Japan, the EU, and even the United States, where households are major solar energy producers.
Mr Tanapong stated that the business sector is the primary producer in Thailand, but that the government may assist reverse this trend by encouraging individuals to generate electricity from the sun.
One approach to jump-start the plan, according to Supat Hasuwant tokit, director of Chana Hospital in Songkhla, is to urge hospitals and schools to install solar panels to reduce their power expenditures. In 2017, Chana Hospital erected 20.4 kilowatt rooftop solar panels in an effort to cut down on fossil fuel consumption, which contributes to climate change. The hospital’s annual electricity bill was decreased by 150,000 baht.
Is Thailand a good place to install solar panels?
Thailand aims to reach 6,000 MW of solar power by 2036.
Installed photovoltaic capacity nearly quadrupled in 2013, reaching 704 MW by the year’s conclusion.
Thailand has more solar power capacity than the rest of Southeast Asia combined by the end of 2015, with a total capacity of 2,500-2,800 MW.
Thailand has a lot of solar potential, especially in the southern and northern parts of Udon Thani Province’s northeastern region, as well as some regions in the center region. Roughly 14.3% of the country receives around 1920 MJ/m2/day of daily sun exposure, while the remaining 50% receives around 1819 MJ/m2/day. Thailand is behind the United States in terms of solar potential, but ahead of Japan.
In May 2013, the 84-megawatt Lopburi Solar Farm was finished. Conergy, a German solar energy business, has signed a deal with Siam Solar Energy of Thailand to build three 10.5 MW solar plants in addition to the two solar plants that have been under construction since autumn 2012.
The Sirindhorn floating solar farm, the world’s largest hybrid solar-hydropower project, began operations in 2021.
What is the price of a solar panel?
Costs of Solar Panels Solar panels cost around $16,000 on average, ranging from $3,500 to $35,000 depending on the type and model. While solar panels can help you save money on energy bills, you need be aware of the whole beginning expenses so you can plan a budget.
In Thailand, how much electricity is generated by solar panels?
Because the quality of solar radiation is insufficient for solar thermal power plants, plans and projects are focusing on solar photovoltaic energy in various forms.
Solar is a key component of the 2018-2037 PDP, with solar accounting for more than half of total energy production. According to ERC data, Thailand’s installed solar capacity has expanded from 49 MW in 2010 to 2,983 MW in 2020. The revised strategy intends to boost installed capacity by 2037 by implementing the following strategies:
- 9,290 MW from solar plant development and solar panel installation on building roofs resulting from license allocation.
- EGAT will get 2,725 MW from the installation of floating solar panels on 9 dams in Thailand.
Which country produces the most affordable solar panels?
According to a survey, India is now the world’s leader in producing solar electricity at the lowest cost, and it is far ahead of other countries in terms of low average production costs. India has surpassed countries such as China, which is normally the cheapest manufacturer of everything, as well as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France.
What are the advantages of solar energy for Thailand?
It generates electricity and hot water from solar radiation and is powered by panels and mirrors. Thailand has a solar power potential due to its tropical climate and extensive exposure to solar radiation, particularly in the southern and northern regions.
In Thailand, how many solar farms are there?
The energy-producing complex is the world’s largest hybrid system of its kind. Seven solar farms with 144,417 solar panels have been developed across 300 acres. Originally, the platforms were expected to generate 45 megawatts of electricity. This project is one of 16 currently under construction on Thai reservoirs that are expected to generate a total of 2.7 gigawatts of electricity.
On October 31, the project, which cost 1.11 billion baht to complete, was formally connected to the electricity grid. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, a government department, has confirmed that the world’s largest hydro-solar hybrid farm will begin to shift energy production away from Thailand’s current largest source of non-renewable energy, natural gas, in the hopes of drastically reducing Thailand’s reliance on non-renewable energy.
Thailand originally set a target of 2065 to become carbon-neutral and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero, but Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged last month at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to achieve the objective by 2050. Hydropower, solar power, and wind power together accounted for less than 10% of Thailand’s power generation last year, whereas natural gas accounted for about two-thirds of the country’s power generation.
Do solar panels actually save you money?
How much does it cost to put solar panels in? A solar system costs an average of $13,142 to install. The cost of installing solar panels is determined by the number of panels required to generate energy for your home. The good news is that the upfront cost of solar panels is covered by the savings and return on investment they generate.
The federal tax credit, which is now at 26%, can balance the average cost of solar panels and their upfront cost. The tax benefit will be reduced to 22% from 2020. As a result, the sooner you use the full credit, the better. The federal tax credit was established to stimulate investment in solar and renewable energy systems, and claiming it is as simple as filling out the appropriate IRS Form.
Solar panels enhance home values while cutting utility expenses, in addition to the federal tax credit. Solar panels save you significantly more money in the long term than gas or electric heating systems. In just three years, your solar panel system will pay for itself!
Why are solar panels a waste of money?
Because solar panels cannot store electricity, their production will be reduced in overcast conditions and will be nil at night. As a result, most home solar systems necessitate the usage of a solar battery. When evaluating if solar panels are worth it for you, keep this additional expense in mind.
To power a home, how many solar panels are required?
If you’re thinking about going solar for your home, you’ll want to figure out how many solar panels you’ll need to suit your household’s energy needs. It depends on the size and quality of the system you choose to install, but the average New Zealand household will require 10-15 solar panels to power their home.
If you’re thinking about going solar for your home, you’ll want to figure out how many solar panels you’ll need to suit your household’s energy needs. It depends on the size and quality of the system you choose to install, but the average New Zealand household will require 15-20 solar panels to power their home.
When we talk about the capacity of a solar system, we’re talking about the kW rating, which is the highest amount of energy the system can produce at its peak output. This would typically be a system with a maximum output of 5kW for households, and systems with a maximum output of 6kW or more for commercial operations.
A 2kW solar panel system typically consists of 6-8 solar panels (depending on panel quality) and has a surface area of 10-15m2. A 3kW system typically consists of 8-12 solar panels and covers a surface area of 15-20m2. Because a 5kW system typically consists of 15-20 panels, the total rooftop space required for a 5kW system is between 25 and 35m2. A 10kW system typically requires 30-40 solar panels, which equates to 55-70m2 of floor space. Because modern, high-quality panels are more efficient, you’ll need less to power a home.
Your system’s capacity should closely match your electricity usage in order to get the most out of it. In New Zealand, the buy-back rates from exporting your extra energy to the electrical grid are not high enough to completely offset the expense of investing in a system that is considerably larger than you require.
To power appliances, electric vehicles, or spa pools, how many solar panels are required?
You may wish to consider your future energy needs while establishing a solar power system.
If you intend on installing a second refrigerator or purchasing an electric car in the near future, you may wish to increase the capacity of your system. Here are some common products and how much solar energy they consume on a yearly basis.
Our solar energy experts can examine your needs during a free at-home consultation to ensure you get the most out of your system. To estimate how many solar panels are ideal for your home, we take into account your present and projected energy use, as well as the times of day you consume it, the size of your roof, and your budget. Get in touch with us today to begin your solar energy journey!
Is renewable energy available in Thailand?
Solar, wind, small and big hydropower plants, biomass, biogas, municipal solid waste (MSW), geothermal electricity, and biofuels are all being developed in Thailand (ethanol, biodiesel).