DuPont Apollo, a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont specializing in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules, has announced today the completion of an 8.7 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted solar farm project in collaboration with Loxley Plc, one of Thailand’s largest conglomerates engaged in the trading and sales of information technology and telecommunication equipment, through a newly formed venture, L Solar 1 Co., Ltd. This project represents a new milestone in Thailand’s progress toward meeting the country’s goal of fulfilling 20 percent of its total energy consumption needs with renewable sources by 2022.
Located at Prachin Buri Province of Thailand, 180 kilometers away from Bangkok, the 8.7 MW solar farm covering 215 rai of land (approximately 344,000 square meters) is composed of leading-edge DuPont Apollo thin film photovoltaic modules. With the completion of its system installation, the solar farm will be grid-connected by the fourth quarter of 2011 and has an average production capacity of 12,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. The electricity generated from this solar farm will supply electricity to the grid through the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA), under Thailand’s current Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) added tariff scheme.
“We chose DuPont Apollo thin film PV modules for this project due to their high quality and reliability and the modules’ superior temperature coefficient which is especially suitable for Thailand’s hot climatic conditions with abundant sunshine,” said Piboon Piboontum, vice president — Loxley. “We are excited about working with DuPont Apollo to bring this ground-mounted solar farm to Thailand to fuel the country’s continuous economic expansion and meet growing demand for electricity in a way that will generate less greenhouse gas emissions than if the country were to depend on fossil fuels alone.”
With increasing concerns over global warming, the Thai government has previously pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector by up to 30 percent by 2020. This installation is expected to offset approximately 6,270 tonnes of emissions annually.
“DuPont Apollo is honored to contribute to the monumental L Solar 1 project of Loxley with our innovative, high energy yield thin film PV modules to meet the renewable energy targets of Thailand.” said David Chu, chief executive officer — DuPont Apollo. “With our thin film PV technology uniquely suited for sunbelt countries, we hope the success of this project will act as a catalyst for further PV developments in Thailand.”
To help advocate the use of PV technology, the L Solar 1 project includes an education center at the solar farm which is open to external visitors interested in learning about PV technology innovations and the benefits of solar energy.
L Solar 1 Company Limited (L Solar 1) is a joint venture between Loxley Public Company Limited, MFC Energy Fund, Leonics Company Limited and Dr. Prasert Shusang, a private investor. L Solar 1 was established in 2009 with sole focus on VSPP projects, which allow up to 10MW of electric power to be produced and sold to the Thai grid for a favorable price.
Loxley Public Company Limited is a Thailand-based company engaged in the trading and sale of information technology (IT) and telecommunication equipment. The Company operates in three segments: technology, where it offers products and services related to information technology, infrastructure, telecommunications, consumer electronics, learning media, and lottery; trading, which includes the trading of chemicals, construction materials and consumer products, and other services, where it offers finance and administrative supports. As of December 31, 2010, it had 18 subsidiaries and nine affiliated companies, including Loxley Wireless Company Limited, Jago Company Limited, Data Mining Company Limited, Loxbit Public Company Limited, Professional Computer Company Limited, and International Agriculture Holdings Company Limited, among others.
Incorporated in early 2008 in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, Du Pont Apollo Limited (DuPont Apollo) is a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont specializing in silicon-based thin film photovoltaic modules. For more information, please visit http://www.apollo.dupont.com.
DuPont is applying the power of its integrated science to help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. DuPont has a range of market-leading innovations that address the renewable energy challenge, including enabling materials for photovoltaics, biofuels, renewably sourced materials and technologies engineered to improve energy efficiency.
DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit http://www.dupont.com.
