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Enhancing Industrial Levels Through Floating Solar: Thailand’s Emerging Energy Source

ยกระดับอุตสาหกรรมด้วย Solar Flating แหล่งพลังงานใหม่ของไทย
Renewable energy has become a popular topic both in Thailand and abroad, as it is derived from natural sources that never deplete. As a result, many countries are planning to replace fossil fuels, coal, oil sands, oil shale, and natural gas with renewable energy. The most widely used forms of renewable energy include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, and hydroelectric energy.

The Importance of Solar Energy in the Industrial Sector
Among the various types of renewable energy, solar energy is the most familiar, especially due to its widespread adoption in households. Solar energy systems typically involve installing solar panels (solar cells) on rooftops to supply power to homes or store energy in batteries for later use. However, beyond household applications, solar cells are increasingly being adopted by large industrial estates due to the numerous benefits they provide, which benefit the industrial sector.

A Boundless Energy Source
One reason factories favor solar energy is that it is an inexhaustible energy source. As long as the sun shines, energy can be harnessed continuously. This eliminates concerns over fuel costs and energy supply disruptions, which are common with traditional energy sources, especially for businesses in industrial estates that require constant energy.

Cost-Effective and Worth the Investment
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, solar energy is the cheapest renewable energy per unit and can power entire industrial facilities. High-quality solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 years, with a payback period of only 7 to 8 years, making solar energy a cost-effective long-term investment.

Aligned with Global Clean Energy Trends
Clean energy is a global agenda, given the escalating urgency of climate change and environmental degradation. As such, factories and industrial estates worldwide are increasingly adopting cleaner energy sources, with solar energy being especially prominent.

Government Incentives
The Board of Investment (BOI) has policies that promote energy efficiency, the use of clean energy, and the reduction of environmental impact. Besides saving energy and enhancing a company’s environmental image, there are opportunities for government incentives to support solar energy adoption.
Types of Solar Energy Systems
While solar rooftop panels are commonly used in homes and small factories, there are several types of solar energy systems available:
Rooftop Solar 
This system is ideal for residential use or places with low energy demands. It is easy to design, install, and flexibly scale according to individual needs.
Solar on Ground
In this system, large arrays of solar panels are installed on the ground, generating substantial amounts of electricity daily. It is suitable for large industrial operations.
Floating Solar
This system involves installing solar panels on water surfaces, such as lakes or oceans, to capture solar energy. It is similar to land-based systems but is installed on water bodies. Floating solar systems are suitable for large-scale industrial use.

Floating Solar: A Viable Option for Industry
Floating solar, often referred to as "floating solar farms," has emerged as a promising clean energy in Thailand , driven by government support for its unique benefits:
  • Unlimited Energy Source: Floating solar systems can generate large amounts of electricity daily, making them ideal for large industrial estates.
  • Utilization of Water Resources: Thailand has an abundance of water bodies, with more than 30% of its area covered by water , excluding coastal and marine areas. This allows floating solar systems to be installed widely without wasting valuable land.
  • Environmentally Friendly: These systems are non-permanent and can be easily removed without damaging the environment.
Thailand’s Largest Floating Solar Farm: Among the World’s Top 10
Thailand’s largest floating solar farm is operated by National Power Supply Public Company Limited (NPS), a leading renewable energy company. Located in Si Maha Phot District, Prachinburi Province, the first phase of the project has a capacity of 60 MW, covering 1,200 rai of water. The second phase, with a capacity of 90 MW, combined with NPS’s biomass power plant (producing over 433 MW), contributes significantly to the supply of clean energy to industrial operations.

Floating solar has proven to be an effective clean energy solution for industrial use. NPS has further demonstrated this by collaborating with 304 Industrial Park (304IP) to establish a company that manages energy within the industrial park, enhancing energy efficiency and promoting land sales to both Thai and foreign investors interested in operating within the park.

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