To help companies establish new energy sources for their operations, Thailand-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) has developed a solar energy generating system that will stay afloat in reservoirs. These reservoirs supply mostly to factories that are located in Thailand’s flat central region.
Placing the solar panels on floating buoys will create a cooling effect that will reduce the temperature of the panels and thereby, enhance efficiency of power generation. This will help to achieve longer shelf life.
Cholanat Yanaranop, president at SCG Chemicals, has opined the new system will ensure power generation for factories. Cholanat also said this is an attempt to broaden SCG’s existing operations and the company aspires to penetrate other ASEAN countries.
“It is part of our project to build added value on our petrochemical products … We produce buoys and we try to create new innovation from buoys to create higher value; and it has turned out as a new power-generating system that works for those who have such ponds and reservoirs and want to make use of them,” said Cholanat.
SCG has already launched its pilot power farm projects on a reservoir in a factory in Map Thaput, Cholanat this week. Going ahead, the company said it will introduce a new business by end of the year that will provide power to systems ranging from 1-5 megawatts.
“It is part of our project to build added value on our petrochemical products …We produce buoys and we try to create new innovation from buoys to create higher value; and it has turned out as a new power-generating system that works for those who have such ponds and reservoirs and want to make use of them,” said Cholanat.
“It is part of our investment of 3.6 billion baht ($114.7 million) this year to create new innovation to create added value to our products and also diversify business from petrochemical to non-petrochemical business to help diversify risks.”