DuPont Apollo Fuels Sustainable Growth in Thailand Through Solar Energy

DuPont Apollo recently announced two new contracts to supply Thailand with a total of 22.75 megawatts (MW) of power generated by silicon-based thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar modules.  The PV modules will be used for utility solar projects located in Chaiyaphum Province and Saraburi Province, owned by Smart Green Energy and Infinite Green.At a media briefing held at the DuPont Thailand Innovation Center, DuPont reaffirmed its support for Thailand’s 10-Year Alternative Energy Development Plan.“Together with our PV partners here, we all share a common mission and vision: to support and contribute to Thailand’s economic expansion and to meet growing electricity demand in a way that will generate less greenhouse gas (GHG) emission than if the country were to depend solely on oil and gas, said Somchai Laohverapanich, managing director, DuPont Thailand. “The aim is to help the country to gain more energy independence and lessen economic pressure from the price fluctuation of imported fuels.”Thailand’s alternative energy plan is designed to drive the national economy and build up national energy security during 2012-2021.The aim is to attain a renewable energy mix of 25% of overall energy consumption.  The country consumes a large amount of imported energy such as oil and gas.

“While hot, humid regions like Thailand present a challenge to many solar panel designs, silicon-based thin film PV modules from DuPont Apollo demonstrate significant advantages in this type of environment, with higher energy yield and reliability that contribute to improved returns on customer's investments,” said Chuck Xu, chief executive officer of DuPont Apollo. “Through works such as the 8.7 MW L Solar 1 PV project, which has been grid connected for more than half a year, DuPont Apollo continues to build on its track record of reliability and performance from its PV modules and system solutions.”

DuPont Apollo collaborated with L Solar 1, a joint venture led by Loxley, on a ground-mounted solar farm in Thailand’s Prachin Buri Province. It was the first megawatt-scale project on which DuPont Apollo has collaborated with a local partner, and it was a significant milestone for both companies to accelerate the use of solar energy in Thailand.

“We are thrilled by the remarkable system power performance enabled by the DuPont Apollo PV modules and we are confident our long-term investment is secured with the reliable modules,” said Piboon Piboontum, managing director of L Solar 1 Co., Ltd.