Abstract
Solar energy is significant potential for power and heat production. The Alternative Energy Development Plan 2018–2037 (AEDP2018) developing by Thailand’s Ministry of Energy demonstrates that solar energy is a key role in renewable energy utilization, especially for power generation. In general, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is the most common type of solar power generation technology. This paper presented a potential of using grid-connected solar PV power generation system for the rooftop of a commercial building. The design and simulation of the solar rooftop PV power generation system and the economic analysis were accomplished. The installation of 1.85 MWp grid-connected solar PV power generation system on the rooftop area required 3,440 pieces of 540 Wp solar panels. By using PVsyst version 7.2, the solar panel configuration was connected in 20 pieces/string in series and 172 strings in parallel, with 80 kWac string inverters of 18 units. The simulated results of produced energy, specific production, and performance ratio were 2,678 MWh/year, 1,442 kWh/kWp/year, and 80% respectively. As a result, the energy cost saving was 269,317 USD with payback period (PB), net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR) of 6.37 years, 1,062,430 USD, and 15%, respectively. In conclusion, the installation of 1.85 MWp solar rooftop PV power generation system is technically feasible for the investment.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE): Alternative energy development plan 2018–2037 (AEDP2018) (2020). (In Thai)
Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE).: Thailand alternative energy situation 2020 report. DEDE, Bangkok (2020)
Singh, G.K.: Solar power generation by PV (photovoltaic) technology: a review. Energy 53, 1–13 (2013)
Gorjian, S., Shukla, A.: Photovoltaic solar energy conversion: technologies, applications and environmental impacts. Academic Press, London (2020)
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): Future of solar photovoltaic: deployment, investment, technology, grid integration and socio-economic aspects (a global energy transformation: paper). IRENA, Abu Dhabi (2019)
Chaianong, A., Pharino, C.: Outlook and challenges for promoting solar photovoltaic rooftops in Thailand. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 48, 356–372 (2015)
Tongsopit, S.: Thailand’s feed-in tariff for residential rooftop solar PV systems: progress so far. Energy Sustain. Dev. 29, 127–134 (2015)
Chimres, N., Wongwises, S.: Critical review of the current status of solar energy in Thailand. Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev. 58, 198–207 (2016)
Tongsopit, S., Moungchareon, S., Aksornkij, A., Potisat, T.: Business models and financing options for a rapid scale-up of rooftop solar power systems in Thailand. Energy Policy 95, 447–457 (2016)
Tantisattayakul, T., Kanchanapiya, P.: Financial measures for promoting residential rooftop photovoltaics under a feed-in tariff framework in Thailand. Energy Policy 109, 260–269 (2017)
Eskew, J., Ratledge, M., Wallace, M., Gheewala, S.H., Rakkwamsuk, P.: An environmental life cycle assessment of rooftop solar in Bangkok. Thailand. Renew. Energy 123, 781–792 (2018)
Chaianong, A., Tongsopit, S., Bangviwat, A., Menke, C.: Bill saving analysis of rooftop PV customers and policy implications for Thailand. Renew. Energy 131, 422–434 (2019)
Tongsopit, S., Junlakarn, S., Wibulpolprasert, W., Chaianong, A., Kokchang, P., Hoang, N.V.: The economics of solar PV self-consumption in Thailand. Renew. Energy 138, 395–408 (2019)
Narkwatchara, P., Ratanatamskul, C., Chandrachai, A.: Performance analysis of electricity generation from grid-connected photovoltaic system using all-sky index for smart city projects in Thailand. Renew. Energy 171, 315–327 (2021)
PVsyst Homepage. https://www.pvsyst.com/help/general_descr.htm. Accessed 2 May 2022
Bank of Thailand (BOT) Homepage. https://www.bot.or.th/Thai/FIPCS/Documents/FPG/2562/ThaiPDF/25620216.pdf. Accessed 20 May 2022. (In Thai)
Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) Homepage, https://www.dede.go.th/ewt_dl_link.php?nid=55493&filename=solar_intensity. Accessed 20 May 2022 (In Thai)
Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Homepage. https://www.pea.co.th/Portals/_default/Documents/Rate2015.pdf. Accessed 20 May 2022
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the supports from the School of Engineering, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and the collaborative company.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Sommani, P., Nookwan, J., Lothongkum, A.W. (2023). Solar Rooftop PV Power Generation for a Commercial Building in Thailand. In: Kim, J., Chen, Z. (eds) Trends in Environmental Sustainability and Green Energy. CGEEE 2022. Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27803-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27803-7_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-27802-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-27803-7
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)