Solar energy Incentive

[glalt]

The grid tie inverter never drops out until nearly dark, then the three green lights are still blinking 1-2-3 very slowly, when the meter is showing about 10 watts, the inverter red light comes on and that's it for the day.

I am now using a system that is working well for me. I keep the CC on until the batteries are fully charged than switch the panels to the grid tie. On sunny days the batteries are fully charged by about 11:00 AM, I then switch to feed the grid. At dusk, I change from the grid tie back to the batteries and run on the batteries until bedtime. I always keep the CC hooked to the batteries. In the morning the batteries are charging automatically. I do disconnect the battery inverter except when I am actually using it. When I am gone for a day or two, I keep the grid tie connected. It works great and I don't have to fiddle with it.

In the last couple of weeks the main power has been off a lot, usually for a short time but once in a while for 5 or 6 hours. On one long outage, I had to start the generator because things in the freezer were thawing out. I charged my batteries with a charger while the generator was running. Waste not, want not. I hate power outages.

I have lost one function that I liked. The charge controller automatically turned on night lights at dusk and off at dawn. That no longer works because it loses its program every time the CC is disconnected from the panels. And, yes, I keep the batteries connected to the CC all the time.

[rjj04]

I knew about, and had seen personally near Las Vegas, the concentrated solar power plants being built in the southwest of the USA, but I'd never heard of this new technolgy. It uses evaporative cooling to generate power. Evaporative coolers are fantastic devices in dry regions like the SW USA. They use far less power than an A/C unit to cool a home. Check it out...

http://ecowatch.com/2014/05/02/tallest- ... an-border/

Certainly can't be used in humid Thailand though

[rjj04]

I went into Amorn the other day on my R&R day to Udon

They have a new paper handout for their solar offerings. Of course the Amorsolar.com website still does not show any of what is on the paper handout... a useless website!!

All the systems mentioned below are now using 295W Poly panels from Schutten (German company but I think the panels are assembled in Thailand)

Grid-tie systems:
------------------------------
"A - Basic System" - 59,000
5 panels
1 JSI-1500 (inverter from JFY Tech/China)

"B - Upgrade(1)" - 115,000
5 panels*
1 JSI-3000

"B - Upgrade(2)" - 135,000
10 panels
1 Growatt 3600TL-10 (Growatt is Chinese but has reviews showing it is on par, or superior to, SMA/Germany)

"C - Professional" - 179,000
16 panels
1 JSI-5000TL

"D - Professional PEA" - 199,000
16 panels
1 Growatt-5000TL-10


Individualy purchased:
--------------------------------
295W Poly panel Schutten 10,500
280W Poly SolarLand panel 9,800
JSI-1500 18,500 MEA
JSI-3000 30,000 MEA
JSI-5000 40,000 MEA
Growatt 3600MTL-10 52,000 PEA
Growatt 5000MTL-10 60,000 PEA
Suntree JFY 5000TL 3 Phase PEA 60,000
MC4 connector 90 (one connector?)
more, but I am too lazy to type everything out


Notes:
1) I believe the "B - Upgrade(1)" system is a typo and it MUST be 10 panels (TIT)
2) The PEA must be to let the customer know that the Growatt inverters (both) are on the PEA accepted inverter list
3) I saw an MEA on the JFYs, so I think perhaps that the MEA(Bangkok) are accepting the JFY inverters
why they have different requirements
4) The price for the 275/280W panels I bought eight months ago (and that are working to specification) were 5,900. I now wish I had bought many more as they are apparently no longer sold by Amron. The Schutten panels give you 6% more watts for 78% higher price... AND are assembled in Thailand The previously offered 1500W system with the same JFY inverter was 45,000 and had six panels (1650W-1680W) rather than the five offered now (1475W). So with the new offering from Amorn you are losing watts and the price is going up (for these supposedly higher quality Schutten panels... moral... stick "German Technology" on anyting in Thailand and you can sell if for a lot more right

[glalt]

I really don't have much use for Amorn especially since their web site now really stinks. I have purchased four panels from them but all the other components have come from AliExpress mail order. I emailed Amorn and complained about their pathetic web site and got no answer.

The three Suntech panels I bought from Amorn look to be second hand. The mono panel was new. If/when I buy more panels I think I will buy them from Siam Green Power International, Co. Ltd.

Since my wife bought another 16 rai of farmland, the new house is now delayed until she pays off the land purchase mortgage. I don't think I will live long enough to see a new house. She is of the opinion that when I am dead and gone, she will make a living from the farm land and a new house would make her nothing. I really don't care. Her old house is comfortable enough for me.

Both my small solar systems are working well. When my home battery bank is fully charged and I switch to the grid tie, I enjoy going out to see the electric meter running backwards.

[rjj04]

Hmmm, I seem to have confused Schutten with Schott. Schutten looks like a Chinese company, at least they show two Chinese addresses, and one Thai, on their website. So, the previous panels Amorn had were from SunTech. SunTech was the largest solar panel manufacturer in the world, but this Schutten company I have no idea. So much for the supposed increase in quality.

http://www.schutten-solar.com/Contact.php

[glalt]

The Amorn website was pathetic and now I get a message that says the domain has expired.

This may seem rather minor to most but I live 150 kilometers from the store. I don't want to drive 150 kilometers to see if they have what I want.

Is it wishful thinking that perhaps they are finally updating or building a new website?

[rjj04]

I agree, the website was pathetic, and now it has been put out of its missery. Apparently it is too difficult to create a decent website in 2014... I think most 12 y/o kids back in the States could probably throw together a better website than most websites I've seen in Thailand.

I live about the same distance from Amorn. I really wish Global House, or Home Pro, or Thai Watsadu, or somebody would start selling some solar products. With the PEA solar energy incentive program apparently a complete flop, I guess I will be waiting a while for change on the solar front.

[glalt]

You're right. I think the big chain stores are missing out on a good opportunity. They could likely get good prices buying large quantities of solar panels and stocking all the other components.

[bumper]

Well it's back in the news again. We got approved, the first time around. But, the cost of installation was simply to expensive.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/new ... treamlined

[glalt]

The worst part about these installations, besides being too expensive, is that the installers are grossly optimistic. They base their output estimates on the sun shining brightly every day. This time of year it is often overcast or cloudy. This cuts output drastically.

I have two panels rated at 585 watts. The maximum I have ever gotten from then was 460 watts on a perfect day. Normal output probably averages less than about 300 watts. Yesterday I ordered another battery. That makes 4 batteries at 65 AH each. Some days the batteries get low (12.1 Volts) at between 8:00 and 9:00 PM. The extra battery should give me another couple of hours. On good days I am able to put power into the grid besides charging the battery bank but those good days are not that common.

There is the satisfaction of making my own electricity and protecting my computer from the grid problems and outages but quite honestly, the payback isn't very good.

[bumper]

Unfortunately that is how I saw it as well. with the prices they were charging you would have been lucky to break even 10 years out and that would only be if something didn't break

[rjj04]

This time of year it is often overcast or cloudy.

Don't forget to mention that the average high is around 95-100F at this time of year. I think that is the biggest problem. Even though the sun is lower on the horizon in the cool/dry season the panel output is greater due to the much cooler temperature and usually clear skies.

I was looking at average installed solar costs in the USA and it has dropped dramatically in the last two years, due partially to more installers (greater competition). The prices that installers around here are charging is rediculous. The owners could pay each of their workers 2000THB/day to put some panels on a roof and still make a killing out of it.

[glalt]

When I was actively planning a stand alone system, (no grid tie). I had figured on 12 poly panels, 12 batteries and four each MPPT chargers, 4 inverters plus mounting and cables. I figured that this 3,360 watt system would cost me 200,000 baht for all the components. I planned on 4 separate systems rather than one big system. My thinking was that if one system went down, I would still have electricity.

Of course a grid tie would be a lot cheaper because of no batteries or charge controllers.

Since my wife thought more land was more important than a new house, the house is on hold until she pays off the last 16 rai land purchase. Up to her, I'm comfortable in the old house.

[bumper]

I don't think so we were quoted from 350 K to 500K for a 5 KW tie in system. That is why we passes after being approved

Think you can run air with that?

[glalt]

Air? In a single word, NO.

If the system were configured differently, it could be done but I would need to buy a new small inverter air con for the bedroom only.

[rick]

don't think so we were quoted from 350 K to 500K for a 5 KW tie in system. That is why we passes after being approved

You can get a solar system of similar size in the UK for the same price ....

[glalt]

18 Solar panels - 300 watt monocrystalline at 7,800 each equals 140,400 baht and 5,400 watts

Two 3,000 watt grid tie MPPT inverters at 22,000 baht each equals 44,800 baht. These grid tie inverters are very good quality and about double the price of the cheap ones.

that's 185,200 baht. Add a generous 20,000 for installation and wiring and you have a 5,400 watt system for 205,200 baht.

There are no batteries or charge controllers needed for this system.

[rjj04]

Sorry to refer back to Amorn again, but... they have a 5KW grid-tie system with panels warranted for 25 years and a very good quality Growatt inverter for 199,000 Baht. Add a generous 20,000 for ground racking (roof racking should be a lot cheaper) and some wire, and you have about 220,000 for a good system. So, when these installers are quoting 350-500K for a system, they are just shooting themselves in the foot as smart folk like Bumper will balk at that sort of markup!! Considering with good racking components 2-3 workers can install a 5KW system like that in just a few hours!! The 2-3 worker estimate is based on US workers. Thai workers on the other hand, well, how does the joke go now... how many Thai workers does it take to...

[bumper]

As a norm we only use the aircon in one room only at a time. Think in the long run you will do better then selling it back. The 5 KW system would have reduced our electric bill. But ,it wouldn't cover it all.

Are you installing everything yourself?

[bluejets]

A quick search on solar installs in Aus show a typical 5kw system for just under A$5K...so ,yeah, iI think they are being a bit greedy.

http://www.ozzysolar.com.au/?gclid=CMXy ... vQodO3cA_A