I was just wondering and perhaps hoping to start a discussion ...  I noticed twice now while on the top of tall shopping centers things that appear to be solar panels on the roof of the building. Does anyone know if indeed solar is really used here. It would seem logical with the intense sunlight coming in. It would seem cost effective.

 

I wondered if this is becoming more common place for commercial institutions and perhaps will be available for residential purposes in the future.

 

 

Yes it is used on top of the industrial and I still think at the present time it does not stack up for residential regarding costs wise I await the contradictions :)

Grid-tie PV solar is alive and well in the domestic market, one of many companies offering it is Amorn Solar have a look at the promotions to get an idea of cost.

 

If you assume about 5 hours of peak production per day you can work out approximate payback.

 

Using net-metering (meter goes backwards when exporting power) payback is about 7 years.

 

If you can get on the MySolarRoof scheme there's a fairly attractive feed-in tariff that takes a year or so off payback.

 

There are several members who have solar, have a look in the electrical forum.

 

 

I have seen the prices of Solar Panels at Amorn in Buriram and in Korat in April 2017. I have also seen the price of solar panels at a Buriram Builders Merchants that sells high pressure washers and water pumps. I 100% agree with Crossy that the payback for PV solar systems in Thailand depends on the scheme. Where I have been told solar panels are worth serious consideration is in pumping water during the daytime in an area far from existing PEA power lines. Finding a local supplier who will back the warranty of the panels or water pump is an important consideration in my experience. Random guys with a shop house and one shipment of Chinese goods and no capacity to repair or replace is not my ideal source of any tool or product in Thailand.  The price of the solar panel was clealy posted in Buriram, but it did not seem safe to walk over when the high pressure washer was cleaning the motorcycles. 

The Local DO Home store near me has a booth setup out front with solar panels and equipment. I dont know if they are going to stay with Do Home or just there for awhile but their prices are way better than amorn which I think is the most expensive I have seen here in thailand. 250W panels are 5100B/300W were i think 6XXXB ? Same chinese panels amorn sells for alot more. I like amorn for their selection but the last couple of years they have got quite greedy on their solar prices.

These guys also sell some quality solar for cheaper than amorn. They also have complete systems for sale.

http://solarcellcenter.com/en/18-schutten-solar-