Schneider Electric to grow solar energy business in Kingdom

Schneider aims to deploy more than 100 megawatts of its systems to be operational in large solar power plants in the Kingdom this year alone, and targets two new potential areas – buildings and homes.

According to a report from the Ministry of Energy’s Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency Department, Thailand’s geography is suitable for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy production because the solar irradiation is high in both its direct and diffuse components. 

The report pointed out that 14.3 per cent of the overall territory in Thailand received an average of 19-20 megajoules of solar energy per square metre per day, while 50 per cent received an average 18-19 megajoules. When compared with other countries, Thailand ranks high in the list of “sunbelt” countries that have a strong potential to produce electricity from solar power.

Marc Lees, Schneider Electric’s head of solar for East Asia, said the company’s move was aligned with the government’s evolving policies on solar energy. “Schneider Electric is currently collaborating with partners to complete solar projects in multiple provinces – Kamphaeng Phet, Ubon Ratchathani, Tak, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya – which will account for over 100MW of capacity power this year alone,” Lees said. 

“With the government’s target to generate 3,000MW of solar energy by 2021, Thailand will be at the forefront of solar technology deployment in Southeast Asia and become a good model for solar-energy policy for neighbouring countries to follow. With its experience and success in providing solar solutions in Thailand, Schneider Electric is preparing for new opportunities in the region as markets in Asean start growing,” he added. 

Parinya Phongrattanakul, vice president for energy and infrastructure at Schneider Electric Thailand, said the company had been active in the solar business here since 2010, with a focus on solar farms. With the government’s new policy measures, Schneider is also looking forward to providing products specially designed for houses and commercial and industrial buildings that require installation in the range of 3 kilowatts to 1MW. 

Schneider Electric is able to fulfil all its customers’ solar-energy requirements: from products to complete solutions that cover electrical equipment, building-management systems, and security systems that can be integrated to work together seamlessly, he said. 

“Furthermore, to make our solar business accessible to households, we plan to work with a nationwide network of partners specialised in solar home systems and electrical safety. In order to champion solar energy in Thailand, we will continue to build up new partnerships and to develop new channels to approach and support these customers,” he said.

“For PV power plants, Schneider Electric is one of the few solution providers that can support long-term service contracts that are backed by strong local expertise to ensure minimal downtime.”