As the world becomes more and more interested in alternative energy sources, the Thai islands are at the forefront of experimentation with one energy source which they have in abundance – the sun. Solar power is being used in hotels, industry and private residences, especially on Phuket and Koh Samui. Taking advantage of the tropical climate and numerous days of sunshine each year, companies are flocking to the islands to launch ever more efficient, solar energy generators.

But how does solar power work? A solar or photovoltaic cell is a device which generates electricity directly from visible light. Many solar cells need to be joined together to form an actual solar panel and the number and size needed is determined by the available light and the amount of energy required. In the majority of cases, some form of energy storage is necessary, because we want to use the generated power on overcast days or at night. Usually a lead acid battery is chosen for storage purposes. Sometimes there is too much power, sometimes not enough, so it is important to make sure the battery is not overcharged or discharged and a battery controller is needed to protect it.

Solar power has many advantages. It is a renewable resource, which is non-polluting, whereas the burning of oil releases carbon dioxide, other greenhouse gases and carcinogens into the air. Solar cells also require very little maintenance, as they have no moving parts that need to be fixed and they also last a long time. Furthermore, they are simple to install as they have no wires or intricate parts. Another advantage sometimes not considered is that they are quiet. Solar cells are totally silent and can extract energy from the sun without making a sound – no more noisy generators. On the downside, solar cells and panels can be expensive. Power cannot be created at night and solar panels do require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.

As the Thai government puts money into alternative power research and runs trials in rural parts of Thailand, businesses are taking the lead and finding ways to develop affordable and efficient power sources, which are not only environmentally friendly, but also sustainable. If you want to explore solar power in more detail, there are many companies and businesses operating in Thailand, on the islands in particular. They can advise you not only about the advantages of solar power, but about the practical details of installation.

Solar power companies in Thailand by area:
Bangkok: Sunpower Systems Ltd +66 (0)2 538 3442
Phuket: Thai Advanced Solar Power Co. Ltd. +66 (0)76 263717
Koh Samui: Samui Service Solarpower Ltd. +66 (0)83 175 8861

This article is provided courtesy of Phuket Villas & Homes as part of the company's corporate responsibility programme.