Solar Power (For the Home)

[Jesus Jones]

I know Thailand's electricity is reasonably cheap at the moment but i was thinking of installing solar power just to get off the grid - plus i'm modernizing the home to let in more natural light during the day but to keep a little cooler at night.

I know this topic has been covered before but i was wondering if anyone has gone this route, and what the cost was and how many appliances it runs.

I have actually contacted an installer in Thailand but i think it will be Christmas before i get a reply!

Initially, i was thinking of a setup mainly to run 2-3 A/C units at night, and baring in mind these will be the appliances with the most load, i should imagine a solar unit to run these will be plenty enough to run the fridge and intermittent appliances during the day?

During the day very little is used as my wife and i are at work: a water pump, water heater for drinks and a TV would be used intermittently during the day by the old codger and his battle-axe.

[splitlid]

a/c uses alot of power, standard solar panels are not powerful enough for ac.

think small- lights fridge, tv.

[goostewart]

How much are we talking for a home system, 3 br townhouse, to run everything apart from the A/C? Is it worth the effort? What about systems that can run the A/C? I currently spend about 1000 Baht in leky a month. Would it be economical to buy a solar system?

[forreachingme]

Just met old friend yesterday and it is now near 25 years they run a resort and diving place, only with the help of solar energy, it is one small island in the Phils, nice place, really recommend it, Pandan on Mindoro Occidental.

He told me that he has also a power converter, making 220 V from the 12V from the panels.

They light all the bungalows in evening, they reload the diving lamps, few PC as well, fill the compressed air tanks for diving, probably a fridge or few...

They plan go further with new investments now, solar, wind, it can be followed on their Facebook account or website.

[Jesus Jones]

How much are we talking for a home system, 3 br townhouse, to run everything apart from the A/C? Is it worth the effort? What about systems that can run the A/C? I currently spend about 1000 Baht in leky a month. Would it be economical to buy a solar system?

It's not economical in Thailand I agree, i just want to get off the grid. And of course it is good for the environment!

The house is a three bed detached, one bedroom used as a clothing area. There is minimal electricity used during the day as the old one is asleep during the afternoon. For constant usage a medium and a large double chested fridge is used.

[Scandinavian]

http://www.solarenergyasia.com/solar_power.php

The packages won't run A/C.

[nedwalk]

how serious are you?.. there is a trade fair in BANGKOK running from the 15-18/9, trade customers only, but i reckon with a bit of bullshit you could register and have a sniff what is available, i will be attending
to get of the grid is a fairly expensive exercise, you are essentially running off batteries, so you need to work out your consumption and build your system accordingly and then work out how much to recharge your system..it ain,t just a matter of hooking up some solar panels and 'bobs your unckle'

[crazy dog]

The important thing is how many years it would take to get back the investment on the system, too many I expect at the moment

[BillyBobThai]

I do not believe you will live long enough, to see a return on your investment.

[FarangRed]

If you only spend a 1000 baht a month on lecky then don't bother I have a solar panel just for hot water and that was expensive enough

[FarangRed]

You can get to run you A/C bye the way

Solar Powered Air Conditioners

[king of uranus]

Be careful with Parallel power systems! If one seperate system is not effectively seperated from the main power supply, a bad noise my be heard "nnngannnn".

An automatic transfer switch is convenient, but a manual transfer switch is cheap and easy -an 'either/or' switch box.

[sccrhound]

I have looked in the US and the estimated time to recoop is 10-15 years. With today's technology they suggest to only try to replace 50% of your electricity. One thing you can try is passive solar where the sun heats water.

Edit: We spend 250-300 a month on electricity...8000-11000 baht

[Black Belt Jones]

how serious are you?.. there is a trade fair in BANGKOK running from the 15-18/9, trade customers only, but i reckon with a bit of bullshit you could register and have a sniff what is available, i will be attending
to get of the grid is a fairly expensive exercise, you are essentially running off batteries, so you need to work out your consumption and build your system accordingly and then work out how much to recharge your system..it ain,t just a matter of hooking up some solar panels and 'bobs your unckle'

Where is the trade show happening, cheers

[Iono]

Here is a link to a site that has various solar products in the U.S., what's interesting is you can look at the site and see how the solar process works, like another poster stated, solar to batteries then converted to A/C, need to know your load and what not.
google backwoodssolar.com

[sccrhound]

Here is a link to a site that has various solar products in the U.S., what's interesting is you can look at the site and see how the solar process works, like another poster stated, solar to batteries then converted to A/C, need to know your load and what not.
google backwoodssolar.com

good site

Backwoods Solar Electric Systems

[nedwalk]

Where is the trade show happening, cheers

B.I.T.E.C.