A floating solar energy project at the Nong Khae Industrial Estate, Saraburi, has won the Thailand Energy Award 2019 for renewable energy projects that are not linked to power transmission systems. The project will now compete in the ASEAN Energy Awards at the end of this year, hosted by Thailand
Mr. Yongyuth Chantarotai, Director-General of the Department of
Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) revealed the award as management
and the media visited the project.
“At present, electricity
from solar energy is typically installed on the roof which is important for
environmental care and clean energy.
But innovations that will help reduce the cost of electricity from solar
energy, especially those with installed solar panels in the water, are
innovations that increase the efficiency of electricity production for the sun.
Promoting renewable energy is in accordance with the renewable energy
development plan and alternative energy or AEDP 2015, “said Mr. Yongyuth.
The development of this project has utilised unprofitable areas to generate electricity from the surface of the ponds having electrical systems with solar energy.
Solar power generation project on the water can generate more electricity and can reduce the evaporation of water from the pond by up to 7%, which allows the company to reduce electricity consumption from the transmission line by up to 14%.
There is a total installed capacity of 160 Kw, able to produce electricity for the production of tap water, approximately 236,512 units per year, including greenhouse gas emissions of up to 134 tons per year.
The implementation of this project yields a high return on
investment (IRR) 18% throughout the 25-year period. Costs can be reduced up to
20.4 million baht, reducing carbon dioxide emissions 3,365 tons. A payback
period of 5-6 years will be realised with this project.
This is a model that can be extended to other projects of the company both in Thailand and abroad. Five projects worth 200 million baht, are being considered to produce electricity for use in the production process of up to 199 million units per year allowing these factories to reduce energy costs by up to 30 million baht per year
