Thread: Thailand : Solar Power

Thailand Granted US$70 Million Alternative Energy Loan
August 01, 2010

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) this week granted a US$70 million (Bt2 billion) long-term loan for the construction of the Lopburi solar power plant. The project, set to be the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the world, was granted assistance by the ADB to help promote alternative energy sources around the world.



Bangkok, the 31st of July 2010: The development, in Thailand’s central province of Lopburi, is the first of its kind to gain assistance from the ADB under the new initiative to support the spread of alternative energy sources worldwide.

ADB Vice President for Private Sector & Co-Financing Operations Lakshmi Venkatachalam stated that the Thai government’s clear and attentive policy promoting alternative energy sources and the great potential of the nation were the main reasons behind the ADB decision to help in funding the solar project.

Involving the construction of the world’s largest solar plant, the Lopburi projects first phase is expected to cost over Bt3 billion with a production capacity of 73 megawatts. The ADB will assist with some Bt2 billion in long-term loans for the first phase whilst the remainder will be provided by the Kasikorn Bank, Bangkok Bank and Siam Commercial Bank in a joint agreement.

The second phase, expected to cost approximately Bt9.2 billion and produce an additional 84 megawatts. Construction of the first phase is expected to commence in August 2010 while the project has a scheduled completion date of 2011. In addition to funding part of the project, the ADB has agreed to purchase some 6,000 carbon credits.



The project will be owned and operated by Thailand’s National Energy Development Company, whose shares a held equally between CLP Thailand Renewable Limited, Diamond Generating Asia Limited and Power Plant Energy.

pattayadailynews.com

TH : Development of a mega project of solar energy, in Thailand
January 17, 2011



Japanese Kyocera Group announces the delivery of 1 million solar modules of 204 MW power, for the largest solar energy project in Thailand.

In fact, the "solar farms", which aims to build an outdoor plants in north-east, by the company Solar Power, includes 34 photovoltaic installations, 6 MW each, in different configurations, to provide a total capacity of 204 MW.

The electricity generated will be distributed to private consumers and enterprises, by the regional electricity authority.

The project will cover the annual needs of the energy needs of 170,000 households in Thailand (according to calculations made by Kyocera, the average annual electricity consumption per household is 1.800 kWh).

To reduce its energy dependence, Thailand has increased efforts by appealing to products with lower energy consumption and alternative energy.

Moreover, due to a warmer climate that benefits the country, in the future will increasingly turn to solar energy.

Since the introduction of a redemption charge in 2007, serious efforts are being made for this type of energy.

Until 2022, Thailand provides the implementation of solar installations, with a total capacity of 500 MW.

instalbiz.com

Thailand Opens The First of Fifteen Solar Thermal Plants Using Solarlite Technology
Jayne Jung
12/31/2011



Earlier this month, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit inaugurated the first solar thermal plant in the Kanchanaburi province of Thailand. Duckwitz, Germany-based Solarlite partnered with Thai Solar Energy company to manufacture and build the five-megawatt system. It is the first of about fifteen plants using Solarite’s technology.

The plants are made possible because of the Thailand’s feed-in tariffs for very small power producers (VSPP). For plants that generate 10 MW and under, the law assures producers market price plus 8 bahts/kWh for the next 10 year. After a decade, the electricity is sold at market prices, which is now about at 3.6 bahts/kWh.

“The decision to choose solar thermal is based on the higher efficiency, the bankability of the technology, the level of environmental friendliness and, last not least, the local job creation potential,” notes Moritz von Plate, Duckwitz-based CFO at Solarlite.

He adds that another advantage of the technology is the possibility of a thermal storage system. In general, the solar thermal has greater flexibility when used with co-generation systems, such as combining production of power and thermal for desalination or absorption cooling.

Unlike its competitors, Solarlite evaporates water instead of thermal oil which makes it more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, its total investment costs compared to traditional parabolic trough technology are much less, according to the company. Also, the thermal oil is flammable and most often toxic.

The Solarlite Direct Steam Generation (DSG) combines two concepts, recirculation and injection cooling, to generate superheated steam. This allows producers to control the process better even during rapidly changing conditions. It is the first parabolic trough commercial plant based on direct steam generation.

“In times of scientifically proven global warming, the greatest advantage offered by the Solarlite technology is the possibility of producing CO2-free energy. With this aim in mind, the company is constantly working to improve its technology so as to increase the efficiency of power plants. The operational concept of direct steam generation with water or steam makes a great contribution to reducing CO2 emissions,” explains von Plate to Forbes.

“The light design of the Solarlite collectors leads to savings in transport and installation costs and it extends total service life. The power plants can be operated independently of the grid and can thus also be used for decentralized projects, making the transport of energy unnecessary. These factors contribute to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions,” he continues. And thus Solarlite’s future looks sunny in Thailand and elsewhere.

forbes.com

Good news!

Now watch the dead-heads come out and say that solar energy is impractical.
They will also say that wind power is impractical.

The opposers of alternative energy systems usually support nuclear energy and large scale hydro projects.
Seems they like to team up with the "big boys", usual small dick syndrome.

Next on line is hydrogen power.

i have a 3 kw interactive on my place in ozzie, thinking about kicking it up with another 3 kw system.., built the house north faceing to maximise output

You're one of the enlightened few mate.

Good on ya, teach by example.

Originally Posted by Mid

The plants are made possible because of the Thailand’s feed-in tariffs for very small power producers (VSPP). For plants that generate 10 MW and under, the law assures producers market price plus 8 bahts/kWh for the next 10 year.

Solar power always has government subsidies attached to it.

Most western governments are broke, which is shy shares of the worlds best panel producers are in the toilet.

Originally Posted by ENT

Good news!

Now watch the dead-heads come out and say that solar energy is impractical.
They will also say that wind power is impractical.

The opposers of alternative energy systems usually support nuclear energy and large scale hydro projects.
Seems they like to team up with the "big boys", usual small dick syndrome.

Next on line is hydrogen power.

30+ years in the energy producing field (including solar), I can say solar and wind are not the sole salvation for future energy needs. They have their niche, but but thay have their drawbacks. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just drinking the whacko arsenic laced Kool-aid with their eyes shut.
For instance, if it's such a great idea, why is the Middle East not blanketed in solar panels, so they can sell their oil to us infidels ?
To patently assume the way people respond is also small (and close) minded.

^ Solar panels are pretty much standard in Israel, and growing in use in NZ, Oz, Asia, USA.

Advanced solar systems now rely upon chlorophyll/titanium dioxide/electro-conductive glass nano-tech. modules.
Taught in 6th form high school science.

60% cheaper to make and far more efficient at low light levels; ie. don't need to have peak solar radiation, can produce in semi light as at dawn, evenings, overcast, etc.

The closed-mindedness is related to adherence to obsolete practice, such as the high rare metal use for current standard PVPs.

High school knowledge now.

Originally Posted by Spin

Originally Posted by Mid

The plants are made possible because of the Thailand’s feed-in tariffs for very small power producers (VSPP). For plants that generate 10 MW and under, the law assures producers market price plus 8 bahts/kWh for the next 10 year.

Solar power always has government subsidies attached to it.

Most western governments are broke, which is shy shares of the worlds best panel producers are in the toilet.

Not so, subsidies don't exist in most countries for PVPs.
The opposite is the truth, as in Thailand, a restrictive tax is placed on their use to protect existing gas/oil/hydro-electric investments into obsolescence.

Originally Posted by ENT

The opposers of alternative energy systems usually support nuclear energy and large scale hydro projects. Seems they like to team up with the "big boys", usual small dick syndrome.

I sometimes envy the religious believers who have no need to base their beliefs in fact. Supporting solar with present technology however is usually nothing else than small brain syndrome.

There are some applications, that is true. Solar panels can do a lot of good in places with no access to the grid providing the chance of running a few essential devices.

In few cases solar mirror heat projects like the above can be commercially viable if placed in areas with little cloud cover. In hot climates they produce their peak output at the times when it is needed to run aircons.

Originally Posted by stevefarang

30+ years in the energy producing field (including solar), I can say solar and wind are not the sole salvation for future energy needs. They have their niche, but but thay have their drawbacks. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just drinking the whacko arsenic laced Kool-aid with their eyes shut.
For instance, if it's such a great idea, why is the Middle East not blanketed in solar panels, so they can sell their oil to us infidels ? To patently assume the way people respond is also small (and close) minded.

In the long run we have no other choice. But major obstacles need to be overcome. There is no viable solution to the storage problem yet. Any industrial society needs energy around the clock and also when there is an extended time of cloud cover that stops production of solar energy.

What is needed is some process where sunlight energy is directly converted into chemical compounds that can be easily stored and transported similar to what plants do but without the need of large amounts of water and usable on arid land or on sea. This way the also essential production of food would not be affected.

I believe within the next 30 plus years such a technology can be developed. Until then it is just foolish to pour endless ressources into projects driven by ideology.

^
OK, some valid points above.

There is no need to store great amounts of electricity when the now viable TiO2 nano-tech systems come into competitive stream against gold/silver/platinum/silicon modules.

There are now far more viable systems of solar conversion, including bacterial agencies used to produce electrical energy.

The ONLY drawback to their use is the competition from outmoded energy systems which are trying to re-coup their prior investments in research and development of current saleable models of energy production.

Get rid of restrictive trade practices of these identifiable industries, fostered by gov. regulatory practices, and we'll be able to advance rapidly into sustainable, environmentally co-hesive energy production that we need.

It's the old, old story of the boys at the top not wanting to lose control of their investments, at the cost of the popular good.

Originally Posted by Spin

Solar power always has government subsidies attached to it.

In Thailand, renewable energy is purchased by distributors at a guaranteed higher rare than other generators. That's the incentive to produce it.

Now, who got the licenses to produce electricity from renewable sources when the concessions were distributed a few years ago? They are a licence to print money.

That's right. Thai Politicians snaffled them for themselves. Now, all they have to do is find a partner to pay to build the infrastructure and take a free carry for their participation.

Corruption Thailand 2012.

I don't expect this story will ever hit the mainstream press.

Not wrong, Ysprid.

Thai-Australian cooperation

Promoting alternative energy
January 1, 2012

Australia has shown interest in Thailand's solar power development, seeing the possibility of welcoming Thai investment to Australia, which is known as the land with the world's highest solar power concentration.

According to Krairit Nilkuha, director-general of the Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Development, who recently had a discussion with Australian Ambassador James Wise and five Australian Members of Parliament led by Sid Side Bottom, the discussion also focused on algae-based fuel research and development as well as carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Thai researchers could be invited to join Australia's attempts to turn algae into fuel and CCS. Australia is the only country in the world which enforces a law to support CCS technology, and a research institute has been set up.

During the discussion, they also exchanged views on alternative energy plans in both countries. Under the Australian Green Energy Act, it aims to increase alternative energy to 20 per cent of consumption in 2020. Thailand also aims to increase the portion to 25 per cent within 10 years.

nationmultimedia.com

i don,t give a ferk..i,m doing my bit..pissin in the wind maybe..but currently, i have no power bills in ozzie..due to the installed system..so for the nay sayers..what are you doing???? is your money where your mouth is?

Originally Posted by stevefarang

Anyone who thinks otherwise is just drinking the whacko arsenic laced Kool-aid with their eyes shut. For instance, if it's such a great idea, why is the Middle East not blanketed in solar panels, so they can sell their oil to us infidels ? To patently assume the way people respond is also small (and close) minded.

like i said mate..i,m doing my bit..i ain,t closed minded to keep leeching off the grid..3 years in and my system has paid for itself..so what are you doing??

Originally Posted by ENT

OK, some valid points above.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by ENT

There is no need to store great amounts of electricity when the now viable TiO2 nano-tech systems come into competitive stream against gold/silver/platinum/silicon modules.

I had to google on that one. As I understand it works with the ultraviolet light only. That means it can convert only a very small fraction of the total sunlight, making large scale installations too expensive for their output. Definitely one step in the direction I put my hopes in. But I believe a few decades of research are needed before they become viable.

Believe me I would love to be proven wrong.

Originally Posted by ENT

Get rid of restrictive trade practices of these identifiable industries, fostered by gov. regulatory practices, and we'll be able to advance rapidly into sustainable, environmentally co-hesive energy production that we need. It's the old, old story of the boys at the top not wanting to lose control of their investments, at the cost of the popular good.

I disagree with that view. If a viable alternative is available, big business will jump on it.
However our green lunatics are opposing even that. They prefer to dream on decentralised energy production with 5 m² of solar panels on every house and a small windmill to go with it.

me and the wife have been talking about installing solar (pv) panels to our house outside bangers for a couple of weeks now and i have been trying to locate the necessary equipment /materials for the job,over christmas i was talking to my son about this and one of his questions was can we get a grant or rebate from any agency in thailand for it ,my initial reaction was definitely not but i don't realy know so can anyone tell me yes or no and maybe an idea where to get the parts from thanks

^
Sorry for typos, can't be bothered to correct pedantically any more, ya get the drift, anyway.

Originally Posted by ENT

Check out wot I posted above, re nano-tech TiO2 panels.

Will do, again. Maybe I did not get to the point on first try.

^ Cool.
I will try and dig up some more tec. info on the subject with refs.

PS
I still think that it was piece of a satellite that landed afew days ago!

Originally Posted by nedwalk

i don,t give a ferk..i,m doing my bit..pissin in the wind maybe..but currently, i have no power bills in ozzie..due to the installed system..so for the nay sayers..what are you doing???? is your money where your mouth is?

Originally Posted by stevefarang

Anyone who thinks otherwise is just drinking the whacko arsenic laced Kool-aid with their eyes shut. For instance, if it's such a great idea, why is the Middle East not blanketed in solar panels, so they can sell their oil to us infidels ? To patently assume the way people respond is also small (and close) minded.

like i said mate..i,m doing my bit..i ain,t closed minded to keep leeching off the grid..3 years in and my system has paid for itself..so what are you doing??

Ned,
I definitely would like to see how your system is setup, as I am brainstorming ways to offset our (future) electric bills at the house we are building outside Bangkok. I'm also working with my son, who will soon graduate as an Electrical Engineer (I'm going to take advantage of the tuition investment I have made over the years), on the design and bits & pieces.
I was just going to lurk and follow this thread with interest, but it was ENT and his utter dismissal of anyone who has a differing viewpoint that motivated me to pitch in. Solar facilities require large tracts of land and are very susceptible to even a single cloud in the sky. I was at one solar facility, outside Los Angeles, and they could really see their output drop when there was a cloud around. The facility consisted of a huge amount of curved solar collectors, easliy the area of 6-7+ football fields, but only produced ~60 MW on a bright sunny day. There could be no trees or other possible obstructions in the area.
And I'm sure environmentalists will sooner or later decry the impact these solar facilities have on the local ecology. After all, they are taking away energy that would be absorbed by the ground. And, again, there cannot be any trees in the general area.
Spain also made a big push for fancy solar collection/generating facilities. They have not turned out as promised and is helping to drive their huge debt issues.

I'm not sure how filling up ENT's car for 30% less cash has to do with solar plants. Maybe he's talking about an HHO unit. As far as HHO units, it's basic science that you use more energy, in the elecrolysis, to break the bonds and create free Hydrogen than the energy the Hydrogen provides. You can't create more energy than what exists, that's a basic, proven fact.

Originally Posted by ENT

Sure, a house with a PVP, a solar hot water panel and a windmill as well as a HHO unit will indeed provide ALL one's energy needs.

This may be true for a simple house with little or no electric demand. I don't believe it for a house requiring power for air-con (especially multiple units), refrigerator, water pumps, lights, and other miscellaneous "hotel" loads.

Happy New Year to all. And thanks for the civil discussion and sharing of ideas.

Originally Posted by stevefarang

I'm not sure how filling up ENT's car for 30% less cash has to do with solar plants. Maybe he's talking about an HHO unit. As far as HHO units, it's basic science that you use more energy, in the elecrolysis, to break the bonds and create free Hydrogen than the energy the Hydrogen provides. You can't create more energy than what exists, that's a basic, proven fact.

I was not able to come up with google to something like ENT is claiming. As I understand it would be a panel producing hydrogen direktly using solar power without a step of producing eletricity and then eletrolysis. How this would run his car I don't know. Maybe he can provide a link, I hope.

Google HHO unit leads to results that scream scam all over the place.