Solar Power

Post by **cricket** » May 13, 2018, 11:03 am

ytrewq wrote: ↑
May 13, 2018, 6:22 am
If you PM your contact info, I'll pass it on.

I'm sorry I don't see any way I can message you. Maybe I need to make a few more posts before I can send pm's.

Post by **cricket** » May 16, 2018, 8:01 am

Hi ytrewq, I'm sorry I don't see any way I can PM you. Can you post the information here please?

Post by **cricket** » May 16, 2018, 8:13 am

I can't see how to pm you so would you mind sending the info to me by email? Thanks

seesaa1 @ yandex.com

Post by **bumper** » May 17, 2018, 12:17 pm

We applied and were approved last time around selling back on the grid. The cost on installation it would take three life times to recover the money. Anything change ?

Post by **rjj04** » May 17, 2018, 12:59 pm

bumper wrote: ↑
May 17, 2018, 12:17 pm
We applied and were approved last time around selling back on the grid. The cost on installation it would take three life times to recover the money. Anything change ?

Well, panel prices are down 40-50% since then (2014?) it would seem. Also inverter prices have fallen, but not quite at the same rate. I would think that the cost of installation has also drop considerably. Bumper, I went through the process before as well, in the end not approved, but if my recollection is correct, you need to finish the installation within a certain period of time, a few months I think, to stay in the program. I would think that you'd have to go through the whole process again, if and when the roof-top solar program comes back to life in the future. It seems that every time there is a proposal to open up the grid for residential solar it is stomped back down again by certain interests. So, to summarize, at this point in time, it isn't looking good for roof-top solar.

Post by **rjj04** » June 5, 2018, 12:53 pm

Central Govt. China Puts Brakes on Solar

https://www.pv-tech.org/news/china-putt ... es-imposed

Apparently the central government in China is cutting back fairly heavily on solar
deployment for the next couple of years. Cutting back about 10GW. Obviously this isn't good
news for fixing the climate, but for people interested in installing a solar power
system in Thailand it might be great news. With the US and European tariffs on solar panels, we
might see a flood of them coming our way. If the Thai government was smart it would use this
as an opportunity to get renewable power on the cheap... but TIT

Post by **mortsyn** » June 7, 2018, 4:45 pm

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ne ... s-go-ahead

Post by **rjj04** » June 8, 2018, 9:55 am

mortsyn wrote: ↑
June 7, 2018, 4:45 pm
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ne ... s-go-ahead

"Private solar power buying gets go-ahead"

Summary of article: *** Same BS different day. ***
- "No solid time frame yet"

- "Need time to workout details of program"

As if years and years of "studying" the issue to date, and countless models of how to do it existing outside of Thailand, aren't enough for them to figure it out... like it's quantum mechanics on steroids or something.
- Selling price "up to 2.44THB" In other words, you sell power to PEA at 2.44THB, if your lucky, then they take your electrons and sell them to your neighbour for 3.9THB (making an instant profit of 60%... in normal discourse that would be deemed a scam). Also, anybody who uses the term "up to" when advertising pricing ought to be summarily shot on the spot!!!

Get rid of the monopoly of PEA/MEA NOW!! I wonder who in Thailand owns most of the shares of PEA/MEA??? Hmmmm let me guess.

Post by **glalt** » June 8, 2018, 11:01 am

No way could I have a system large enough to sell the surplus to the power company. I have far too many mature trees. Just a bit of shade kills the panel output. Even at that, I looked closely at the requirements. I found that the "APPROVED" components were horribly overpriced. Makes one wonder who approves those components. How much does it cost the approved component manufacturers for the approval? I would guess that it is the middlemen and not the manufactures who are able to get approved.

It would be interesting to see who owns solar farms that have long term contracts selling power for good profits. A ten year contract should easily pay for the installation.

Post by **fhorst** » July 10, 2018, 7:53 am

Many posts about solar...

Many

For me, I have not an other option.
My (new to build) home is 3km away to the electricity grid.
I like to use, looking at the possible costs, it ain't funny.

I can buy panels local, about 3500 Baht per 300W polycrystalline

Bigger problem is storage for night.

Are there working alternatives for lead acid and LIFEPO4?
Salt water looked nice, it will not be available any time soon.

LIFEPO4 is to expensive for me.

I like to know some really possible alternatives to store and use about 100.000ah. At 48v

Thanks!

Post by JR » January 1, 2019, 10:06 pm

fhorst has not posted since July so I do not know how relevant this is now. We had similar position when we built three years ago. Over a km to nearest connection and a ludicrous offer from PEA. We are now off-grid with panels and batteries. No problems at all. Has been running over a year now.

Post by **glalt** » January 2, 2019, 7:55 pm

I have been using three small solar systems, the oldest for more than ten years. The first system I built I used Used 4 65 AH AGM sealed batteries. Those batteries lasted about five years. the second system used two FB brand 12 volt 125 AH deep cycle lead acid batteries. Amazingly enough they are still working fine after about 10 years. The third system is using 4 6 volt 125 AH golf cart batteries. They are only a few years old so I have no idea how long they will last. All systems are set up for 12 volts. The only problem I see with regular deep cycle lead acid batteries is that they need to be well ventilated to prevent dangerous hydrogen build up. I check the acid level no more often than once a month. The bottom line is there will be no more very expensive sealed AGM batteries for me. I think common deep cycle lead acid batteries give the best bang for the baht. Maybe I should add that I never discharge my batteries below 50 percent.

I'm a firm believer in a number of smaller systems each running their own circuits. If one component fails, you still have power to manipulate between circuits. A friend of mine had a very large system. He had many problems with charge controllers and one huge inverter. He was off the grid so when he had a problem, he had no power. I keep a spare charge controller and a spare inverter. Other than frying one inverter because of my own stupidity, I have had no problems. My AliExpress Chinese components have been very dependable.

I did have one problem with a new 1,500 watt Gaia inverter. It gave a puff of white smoke and quit working. Gaia asked me to take the cover off and send them pictures. (leaking capacitor) They immediately sent me a replacement without asking me to send the defective one back. I am using three Gaia inverters.

Post by **parrot** » May 24, 2019, 3:52 pm

Some news on the private sale of solar power back to the government:
https://spv.mea.or.th/
http://www.energynewscenter.com/%E0%B9% ... nP28bg1lgc
Interested parties can apply now through Dec 2019.

Post by **glalt** » May 27, 2019, 9:36 am

Grid tie inverters are obviously not the answer. When the main grid goes down, the grid tie inverters go down also. Besides that, you have to deal with the government to get the system approved to get paid for the output.

The main problem is still storing the power to supply electricity overnight. I just built another small system to power three WiFi cameras and emergency lighting near my garage. The cameras need power to work and when the unreliable grid goes down, they go off also and need to be reset when the power comes back on. I used the best components because I wanted to set it up and forget it. By far the most expensive component was the 100 AH gel battery. It cost half of the total cost at 7,000 baht.

The system is oversize for the power needed but better too big than too small. I have a 165 watt mono solar panel, a 10 amp MPPT solar charger, a 500 watt GAIA inverter and of course the expensive battery. My WiFi router for the Internet is in the house and also solar powered. It all runs 24/7.

Post by **maaka** » May 27, 2019, 1:35 pm

finally after years of planning, and hauling suitcase full of solar bits and pieces from the homeland, I put together my own wee 12v solar power unit for emergency lighting..we loose village power every other day, and candles and torches were a pain..so after tracking down some lengths of alloy angle iron, to screw the panels too that I lugged from NZ in my trusty suitcase, I clambered onto the roof and must have put a dent in it with every step I took, bloody thin stuff it is..would have slide off if it wasnt for the aide of a young fella to hold onto the rope around me guts..with bits of rubber from a gumboot to do as washers, she was secured to the roof and the wires poked thru the wall into the ceiling..then mounted my home made meter board to the wall in the garage, and thus after having pre wired the lights and mounted them in different rooms, we poked them up thru the ceiling, and sent young fella into the dark hotness to gather them all up and jam them down the hole in ceiling above meter board. I then instructed the large joval electrician, father of young fella, to screw what wire where due to my failing eye sight. A long procedure but done from memory, as this is my fourth solar unit..once all was neatly done and squared away, the battery and then the panels were attached and we waited with baited breath, until the main switch was thrown, and nothing..abit of a ponder, and then set the Controller, and then woof, or poof, on came the lights..ohh merriment and wonderous joy, that another of my ideas had worked..there I was next morn well before the sparrow farts, supping chalon in the kitchen when the village power went down...dont panic. One merely throws this switch and the house is lite up like Xmas..hoo ya

Post by **rick** » May 27, 2019, 2:03 pm

Well done!

Post by **maaka** » May 27, 2019, 3:59 pm

Thanks Mate...its only small fry...2x 40 panels, 40 ah acid battery, 30a Controller, left room to add another panel, for 12v music, water pump etc..will replace Controller with a new one I bought downunder, as it has two USB ports for cell phone charging, or other 5v things..

making small changes for the future, own power own water, ..wandered around with a couple of metal rods the other day, and found water near the house, bored down to finally find it at 60m.

Post by **glalt** » May 27, 2019, 4:28 pm

I may not live long enough for my systems to pay for themselves, BUT, when the neighborhood goes black, I still have electricity. My router and computer just keep working like nothing happened. Yes, I have spent a lot of money but at least for me, it is worth every baht. I just spent 1,850 baht for a new AVR for the farm generator. I still need to get the one at the house repaired.

Post by **parrot** » June 1, 2019, 2:06 pm

I've seen this company's truck in/around town a few times. Although from Khonkaen, they apparently do work in Udon. From their website:
"Solartech Center Ltd., Solartech Center Ltd., located at 166 Moo 1, Ban Khok Subdistrict, Nong Na Kham District, Khon Kaen 40150. We are the importer and distributor of solar cell solar panels, solar panels. At the cheapest price What we consider most is Product quality As well as customer satisfaction Under the cheaper price than the general market We import and produce products that are legal. We focus on being a reliable online store and selling products. At the most reasonable price, our products are high quality products compared to the price. Rest assured in the quality system RoHS, CE and ISO9001 accepted worldwide. We are a distribution center. Solar energy Cheap solar cell solar cell panels that you can trust in quality and price. All products of our shop are guaranteed for 1 year. "

Post by **Gudon** » June 5, 2019, 6:11 pm

Hi
I know this is an old thread but I am seriously considering a solar/pea system in Udon and would be great to meet you and learn some basics
Gordon

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