dirty dog

there is a allocation quota for solar cells for thailand, most are already sold for this year I should imagine.

aging one

Honda makes a little generator that would fit your needs and is very quiet.

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LeedsLeedsLeeds

DD does this mean that I would have to sign up to a waiting list? Do you know which shop / area sells them?

AO do you know how much they are and where they can be bought?

Thanks to both of you for your responses.

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dirty dog

I got a yamaha generator and it's as noisy as hell...

google "ARC Pattaya" they do aircons and loads of other stuff, the guy who is buying all the cells is called Andy I believe and he works for them.

Forget

I’m in England at the moment but I’m thinking of going down this route when I get back to Thailand. These links might be useful and I’d also recommend doing a search on Thaivisa - I found a fair amount of useful information buried there.

http://www.siamsolar.com/
http://www.swdsbd.com/productbyband....id=1&band_id=1
http://www.aseanenergy.org/pressea/t.../suppliers.htm
http://www.palangthai.org/
http://www.solartron.co.th/Newer/home.aspx

Sanuk Canuk

Generally you will have trouble getting enough juice out of solar especially if you need to use an inverter to convert to AC. Try figure out your likely electrical consumption per day (a fridge alone takes quite a bit of power), then figure out the size of a solar array that would provide that much power given 8hrs direct sunlight per day. After that you might want to figure on a 30% inefficiency factor for the odd cloudy day.

Then don't forget the cost of a battery bank and many other components. If you live in a windy area a wind turbine will likely be a better option (still requires the battery bank and inverters and stuff). Wind turbines have improved quite a bit lately and are quieter and more efficient than you might think. On the other hand a proper diesel generator with shrouding is not that loud but it is expensive. If you do get a generator and plan on running it as a primary power source go with diesel.

Maybe you could look at wind+solar with a cheaper gas generator as backup. Once you have the the components for solar in place a small wind turbine should be simple to add. One other note...when living off the grid its the front end conservation that is key ... look into LED light arrays, and try get the most thermally efficient fridge you can find. Oh and forget about an electric stove.

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drdublin

How about a gas refrigerator?

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MikeS

My inquiries into the use of solar panels to power a 40 litre 12 volt fridge and a bit of other stuff for our camper trailer in Oz suggested we would have needed 120amp of cells as a minimum if that helps. The fridge drew 1-2 amps an hour depending on how cold it was set to maintain ie freezing costs more.
We have friends have an old shack outside Coffs Harbour which has solar panels on the roof which run 12 volt lights OK. They don't use a fridge. Once you plug in a 240 volt fridge or TV etc you need an inverter and big batteries and the power usage goes way up. But it can be done.
You could be talking several thousand Aussie dollars depending on the size of your needs.
Honda generators are the best and quietest but they are also the dearest and you still need batteries as you don't run the stuff directly off the generator (power surges can blow things), you use the generator to recharge batteries and run the gear off them. So maybe 2-3 hours of generating a day to recharge the batteries, depending on your demand.
Q: How can they ration the number of solar panels imported into Thailand? How would they know?
BP Solar in Aus is a big supplier if thats any help. Try: http://www.bp.com/modularhome.do?cat...tentId=7004852

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LeedsLeedsLeeds

Thanks a lot Mike, that's a big help. I was hoping for something eco-friendly but I may have to resort to a small generator as solar cells seem expensive and difficult, also I'm surrounded by mountains so wind power may not be possible.

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MikeS

Don't let me put you off solar with that info. I know plenty of people who swear by it. Solar hot water heaters are also excellent and very common in Oz.
Some houses have full solar systems which generate surplus solar power and put it back into the power company grid and earn a credit on their power bills.
I have no idea what is available in Thailand and have yet to see a solar panel on a roof anywhere, but it must be out there somewhere.

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drdublin

The mountains may help with wind power if they are funneled in a canyon. It acts just like a dam but with wind.

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kenkannif

I think it's utterly, utterly wrong that oil companies sell and own the rights to a lot of alternative power sources....surely a conflict of interest? Or if not a way of semi-monopolising it????

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Maikuhn

Why not just go for the Full Monty and live in a cave? Houses are aestetically unpleasing anyway. Sorry, couldn't resist.

I think you're right about alternative energy. We're all going to be considering these options sooner rather than later.

I read that today's hybrid cars will never save you enough money in their lifetimes to cover the increased initial cost.

By the same token, does the huge initial outlay for solar panels and wind turbines and converters and batteries (whew) sound like a beter option than an ugly generator an extention cord?

MikeS

Yes.

The cost of hybrids will come down as sales increase.

Solar power pays for itself much quicker if the power company lets you hook up so your can put surplus power back into the grid and get a credit.

I've stayed in a cave at Coober Pedy in Oz where most people live underground. Was great, only 22 degress all year round they told me. And when you need to enlarge your house, you just get out your spade or hire a digging machine. Gotta love that.

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