DuPont Apollo, a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont specializing in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules, has completed a 8.7 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar farm project in collaboration with Loxley Plc, one of Thailand’s largest conglomerates engaged in the trading and sales of information technology and telecommunication equipment, through a newly formed venture, L Solar 1 Co., Ltd. This project represents a new milestone in Thailand’s progress toward meeting the country’s goal of fulfilling 20 percent of its total energy consumption needs with renewable sources by 2022.
Located at Prachin Buri Province of Thailand, 180 kilometers away from Bangkok, the 8.7 MW solar farm covering 215 rai of land (approximately 344,000 square meters) is composed of leading-edge DuPont Apollo thin film photovoltaic modules. With the completion of its system installation, the solar farm will be grid-connected by the fourth quarter of 2011 and has an average production capacity of 12,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. The electricity generated from this solar farm will supply electricity to the grid through the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA), under Thailand’s current Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) added tariff scheme.
“We chose DuPont Apollo thin film PV modules for this project due to their high quality and reliability and the modules’ superior temperature coefficient which is especially suitable for Thailand’s hot climatic conditions with abundant sunshine,” said Piboon Piboontum, vice president, Loxley. “We are excited about working with DuPont Apollo to bring this ground-mounted solar farm to Thailand to fuel the country’s continuous economic expansion and meet growing demand for electricity in a way that will generate less greenhouse gas emissions than if the country were to depend on fossil fuels alone.”
With increasing concerns over global warming, the Thai government has previously pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector by up to 30 percent by 2020. This installation is expected to offset approximately 6,270 tonnes of emissions annually.
“DuPont Apollo is honored to contribute to the monumental L Solar 1 project of Loxley with our innovative, high energy yield thin film PV modules to meet the renewable energy targets of Thailand.” said David Chu, chief executive officer — DuPont Apollo. “With our thin film PV technology uniquely suited for sunbelt countries, we hope the success of this project will act as a catalyst for further PV developments in Thailand.”
To help advocate the use of PV technology, the L Solar 1 project includes an education center at the solar farm which is open to external visitors interested in learning about PV technology innovations and the benefits of solar energy. ww.apollo.dupont.com
