Alternative Utilizations of Photovoltaic Modules from Solar Home System, Thailand

Abstract

Since, the SHS program started in year 2003, approximately 200,000 units of SHS have been installed. Unfortunately, many survey studies indicated that more than 20 percent of SHS were not working properly, due to damages of system components such as, battery, charge controller, inverter, and lighting system, but, almost of PV modules are working perfectly. So, this paper presents a practice to recover the potential of PV modules, which have been abandoned. The paper describes alternative utilizations of PV modules, including photovoltaic stand alone system (PVSS), photovoltaic hybrid system (PVHS), and photovoltaic grid connected system (PVGS). This paper also describes about alternative system selection guideline and the system advantages. In 2009, Tambon Shomphoo, which located in Nernmaprang district, Phisanuloke province, has been selected as a study site. From the survey data show that there were about 20% of SHS was malfunction or 114 PV modules or 14 kWp of alternative system was available. The PVSS was selected from the alternative system guide and economic of the system was assessed. The system can produce 18,391.90 kWh/y. The life cycle cost is about 3,222,430Bath and COE is 8.76 Bath/kWh.