Solar power setup for your home in Thailand

[STEVE G]

^Yes, I've just been looking at backup battery system prices and it should be viable.

[Nereus]

Anti-islanding simply means that the inverter stops grid-feed-in when the grid experiences abnormal conditions (frequency/voltage) and/or in the event there is a complete power outage. The purpose of this is to protect line workers or electricians who may be trying to make repairs to the grid. This is mandated for all grid-tie systems.

Yes, not in dispute! It is achieved by default when the inverter no longer has a frequency signal from the grid!

[Sj65]

The cost of the new meter will be about 13,000 baht. Another question, for those that are definitely on PEA power, installed a solar system and then had PEA switch out their meter for a digital meter, did PEA charge them for the cost of the meter or did PEA pay for it ?

I have a 5Kwh system and after 4 years, PEA, took away our analogue meter. Switched my system to NO EXPORT and waited to months. Now 4 months and still no bill.

[Sj65]

Has anyone done a recent review of the payback for having solar power installed - I’m sure that if these sort of temperatures become the norm then more people will want to consider solar?


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I'm not in Thailand at the moment but I'm trying to get my partner to go to the Solar Solutions shop in Hua Hin for a quote so I can start looking at getting some installed when I'm back next. She owns a shop in Hin Lek Fai that uses more electricity than our house so I was thinking of going solar on the shop first and then the house later.
I've noticed that many developments around our way are now installing solar as standard on new builds.

Solar solutions.....when it comes to after service.....they don't have a clue. Bought my system by Clive...but serviced by Solar shop, Greg. But will go next time to Kunini

[buksida]

As always, some good info and feedback in this thread.

Let us know the costs and how the installation goes, Steve. I am still looking into solar since our power bills (and almost everyone else I know) skyrocketed last month ... a trend that is likely to continue. I calculated our ROI to be around 12 years using the hefty quote I was given by one of Hua Hin's solar firms for an off-grid system, but the considerations posted above are food for thought (I like the house-fridge concept!) and system installation prices are more competitive out of the tourist town where I would need it.

[Suua]

Hi Buksi,
Have a read at www.huahinsolarandcctv.com
Let me know your thoughts

[buksida]

ROI for us works out at about 10 years, considering our current usage and the 'medium house with batteries' quote from that site (and buying another 3 a/c units). But it would be nice to leave the a/c on all day and mitigate the constant power outages!

[STEVE G]

Let us know the costs and how the installation goes, Steve. I am still looking into solar....

We're waiting for a quote at the moment, they've already been around to have a look at the property.
I'll be out there next month and hope to have something in progress by then.

[KhunLA]

Don't know if I'm allowed post a link, as I can't post HH forum links where this info is.

BUT ... if you Google this "Solar - 8kW Hybrid Inverter w/10kWh (upgraded to 20kWh in Sept. 2022) ESS/battery (not DIY)" ... I'm pretty sure you can find it, and that's our experience with solar.

[buksida]

No problem with links as long as they're not spam, malware, or advertising.

[Nereus]

For what it’s worth, the following is just my opinion.

I cannot see how it is possible to calculate a ROI; there are just too many unknown variables.

About the only fact that can probably be relied on is: the per unit cost of a grid supply is going to increase, and even that has its own maybe’s; but if the production methods used in Thailand are maintained, then expect a continual increase.

The most expensive item right now is the batteries. There is continuing ongoing research and development going on worldwide into this technology. Who is to say that next month there will not be a break through and battery storage prices tumble?
On the other hand, especially with China being involved, the price could well sky rocket.

The same logic can be applied to the PV panels. The price has been on a downward slide for several years, but could well reverse. Their lifetime is not really a consideration, but a big storm could come along and damage them beyond repair. Will the Thai insurance industry replace them? I doubt it: an “act of God” says Somchai!

Inverters are already a can of worms, and I doubt that the price will reduce anytime soon. Some of the material used in the manufacture of the components is already in short supply.

The installation costs are always going to be variable. It is not rocket science how these systems work. Buy a couple of books: buy Steve G a couple of cartons of his favorite tipple after he has been involved in his own and I am sure that he could easily do it. Maybe have somebody else install the panels so that the load on the roof is taken correctly.
And if you have enough yard space, the panels do not have to be on the roof.

All of the components are readily available in Thailand at Thai prices, if you send your mrs.

Right now, as far as I know, there is no legal requirement or rules applied to an off grid system. Leave your grid connection until all the installation is complete, test it out on some load for a couple of weeks, then change it over in about 2 minutes. Again, as far as I know there is no rule about using power from the grid, just a small fee each month for the “service’.

Caveat Emptor! Any, or all, of the above could change!

[Suua]

"All of the components are readily available in Thailand at Thai prices, if you send your mrs".

As with a lot of things, make sure you're buying the genuine article.....particularly with panels.
There are many wholesalers who buy a cheap crap panel and slap a 'Longi' sticker on it.
Longi have a bar code validation facility on their website.
Always beware, there are lots of counterfeits around.

[STEVE G]

Maybe have somebody else install the panels so that the load on the roof is taken correctly.

Maybe have someone else install the panels on the roof so that I don't have to spend my vacation on the roof!
Actually, I've thought about going DIY but I'm still doing too much work at work to want to do that much more in my time off and as long as I get a reasonable quote, I'll get it done by someone else.

[PeteC]

Maybe have somebody else install the panels so that the load on the roof is taken correctly.

Maybe have someone else install the panels on the roof so that I don't have to spend my vacation on the roof!
Actually, I've thought about going DIY but I'm still doing too much work at work to want to do that much more in my time off and as long as I get a reasonable quote, I'll get it done by someone else.

Good idea. The way the MIB are acting towards alleged crimes by foreigners these days, they may throw a net on you and pull you off the roof!

[KhunLA]

For what it’s worth, the following is just my opinion.

I cannot see how it is possible to calculate a ROI; there are just too many unknown variables.

Sizing the system and ROI calculation was kind of easy for myself. Just took our largest PEA bills, and made sure the system was enough to provide at least that.

We were in between houses, and knowing present house built was going to be a wee bit smaller, and much better built, insulated and better shaded (walls), than previous house. Since I know the old house's bills would probably be the max units needed. Since not as insulated, and ACs weren't inverters.

If you save just a few of your PEA bills during the year, it has your usage history on the bottom.

What I didn't figure on, was buying an EV (car) 2 years later, as we had just bought a new ICEV when house & solar was contracted. Took 18 months to finish the house on what was suppose to be a 4-6 month build. Last minute, before installed, I did up the solar from 6.3kW to 8kW, and added a couple more panels, above max needed, to max out system. More because the installer stopped using the 6.3kW inverters, so it was either 5kw or 8kW. Which worked out good, as we probably wouldn't be able to abuse the AC as much as we do now, w/ 5kW inverter system.

Which happily worked out perfect. Produces just enough on the crappiest production days, so supplies needs of house, and tops up the batteries from the night before usage. That's with abusing the ACs, when needed, and when having excess, use to charge the EVs.

ROI is even easier, since knowing hi/lo of previous bills. After 1 full calendar with both, solar & EVs, we'll save between 80-95k a year on electric & petrol costs. We drive almost a constant 20k kms +/- every year, and have the past 20 years. That won't change till I crap out, as wife won't do as many O&A (out & abouts) when I'm gone. Can't see our house electric use changing much, so ROI for us should be <5 yrs, 7 tops.

More local driving, faster ROI. That's really the only variable, how often away from the house. First year was only 33 overnights, away from house, where CS (charging stations) were used. Range locally is 250-280 kms round trip. Actually half our local driving was over 50 kms away from the house.

Half of the 20k kms was O&A, and more than half of the local driving, was not exactly local, and 50 kms away from the house. Everything needed locally is within 5 kms of the house, and we really don't need a car.

When weather is cooperating, actually use the E-MB for a lot of my daily trips to the park or surf to walk the dog in the morning. That averages 2500 kms a year.

Another thing to consider, important and almost quarantined on new builds, and eventually old builds, getting a digital meter. Original plan was to use the grid overnight, with ESS/battery as a back up only. Then run meter backwards, to a respectfully low number of units , so not needing larger ESS and longer longevity of ESS.

Well that didn't work, as when they replaced the temp meter, 2 weeks later, it was a shiny new digital meter So with that, we added another 10kW of ESS, as wanting to be 'off grid' at that point. Still connected for 27 baht a month, but we rarely use the grid.