Thailand, Japan jointly explore solar power

BANGKOK, July 4 (TNA) - Thailand's National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) and a Japanese firm, Tabuchi Electric Company Limited, have jointly launched a program designed to explore the utilization of solar power and solar cells under the Thai climate, which will become a source of knowledge for youths as well. Under the joint program, 10-kilowatt-solar power generating cells of five different technologies have been installed at the Sirindhorn Science Home in Bangkok's suburban Prathum Thani province for gathering of data on their separate solar power generating, as well as for measuring their solar intensity and temperatures, the results of which will be used for further analytical research to find out the most suitable solar power generating technology for Thailand and for a study source of alternative energy among the youths and the general public. According to NECTEC Director Dr. Thaweesak Ko-anan-ta-kool, Thailand is currently capable of producing 150 megawatts of electricity from solar cells and has targeted to produce up to 2,000 megawatts of electricty from solar cells by the year 2021. The NECTEC chief acknowledged even though Thailand has high potential for generating electricity from solar cells, a long term gathering of relevant data is needed due to the country’s high temperature and high humidity on average all year round. (TNA)