26 Dec Thailand’s First Solar Cell Panel Testing Building Opens at NSTDA to Promote Clean Energy Development

The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), through the National Energy Technology Center (NECTEC) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), in collaboration with Kaneka Corporation of Japan, has opened the first “Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Solar Panel Performance Evaluation Building” in Thailand. The building is located at NSTDA and is supported by partners Taisei Corporation of Japan and Solartron Public Company Limited.

Professor Dr. Chukiat Limpiyakorn, President of NSTDA, said that NSTDA has been assigned an important mission to accelerate the development of technology and science. Our mission is to conduct and support research and development, design and engineering, technology transfer, human resource development in science, technology and innovation (STI), and infrastructure development. We aim to be the main driving force in science, technology and innovation to push the country’s development in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise of the research team. We also respond to the needs of the industry and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global economy by working with partners from the education sector, government, private sector and civil society, both domestically and internationally.

“In line with the BCG Economy policy, NSTDA is committed to supporting research and development that promotes sustainability. We recognize the urgency of addressing climate change and the important role of renewable energy in this effort. The prototype building “BIPV Solar House Building” at the main entrance of the National Science Park, Thailand Science Park, is a testament to the potential of this technology,” said Professor Dr. Chukiat.

Dr. Lily Euvilaichitr, Assistant Director of the National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC, NSTDA), said that the project “Evaluation of Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Systems Installed and Operated in Thailand” is a project that received funding under the “2021 Joint Innovation Program for Dissemination of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Technologies” from the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan. The program provides funding for joint innovation with the aim of creating mutual benefits in innovation between Japan and its partner countries towards a carbon-free society. This led to the collaboration between Kaneka Corporation of Japan and NSTDA, along with Taisei Corporation of Japan, a partner of the company, and Solartron Public Company Limited, a partner of NSTDA, which resulted in the project today.

“The project aims to study and evaluate the electricity generation performance of solar panels installed in a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system in Thailand, which has a hot and humid climate. Currently, solar cells are popularly installed on the roofs of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This project represents a step forward for solar cells. In addition to being installed on roofs, solar cells will be integrated into architectural design. It is predicted that BIPV installations will become more prevalent in the future, with a variety of installation methods, particularly on building walls. Therefore, this project will study and compare the electricity generation performance of solar cells with different technologies installed in BIPV systems. The data obtained will be used to design BIPV systems for efficient installation on building walls in Thailand in the future.” … Dr. Lily added.