Sonnedix Group and First Solar have announced in February 2012 the completion of works on the
Nakhon Ratchasima solar farm in the Khorat region of north eastern
Thailand. The 7.5MW photovoltaic plant, based on First Solar's cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules, will meet the annual electricity needs of more than 5,100 homes.
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| Image: Sonnedix solar |
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| A Buddhist inauguration ceremony at the power plant. Image: Sonnedix solar |
The solar power plant, one of the biggest in Thailand (as in February 2012), was built by Sonnedix with support of Assyce Fotovoltaica and Ch. Karnchang Group using around 95,000 of First Solar's innovative CdTe thin-film solar modules.
Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm
Sonnedix is a global solar power producer whose management has a track record of more than fifteen years in Asia. The project in Nakhon Ratchasima is its first to become operational in Thailand and is understood to serve as its strong base for developing and building utility-size solar farms and large rooftop solar power plants.
Covering around 20 hectares, the Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm can supply enough electricity to meet the annual needs of about 5,100 average Thai homes. It is expected to generate more than 10.5 GWh of clean, green electricity per year, offsetting carbon dioxide emissions of more than 6,500 tons a year.
The project in brief
Solar farm size/capacity: 7.5MWp (DC)
Farm area: Approx. 20 hectares
Approximate supply to: 5,100 average homes
Location: Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand
Solar modules: cadmium telluride (CdTe), F280 from First Solar
Inverter: Ingecon 500 HE TL from Ingeteam
Transformers: Tirathai
Amount of CO2 emissions avoided: Approx. 6,500 tonnes/year
Interesting Venture by Thai government
The completion of the solar farm shows the commitment of the Thai
government in reducing fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas
emissions. This project is also touted to have the smallest carbon
footprint of any current PV technology.
This is a combine effort and
partnership of Sonnedix Group, First Solar and the Thai government. Another partner, a Spain-based Assyce who carried out the engineering, procurement and construction on the project showed that Thailand is prepared to work with foreign companies to speed up the growth of its Renewable Energy program.
What about Malaysia?
Where is Malaysia in terms of implementation of the solar PV works to generate solar energy? Compared to Thailand, we are 'crawling'. In terms of producing solar modules, we are currently the world's third, just behind Germany and China.
Is Malaysia intending to be the major producer/manufacturer of Solar PV modules but not generating solar energy itself?
