Overview
Phanom Thuan Solar Power Plant is an 8 MW operational solar PV facility in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, owned by SSE-PV8 Project. It contributes to Thailand's renewable energy targets under the Alternative Energy Development Plan.
Phanom Thuan Solar Power Plant is an operational solar photovoltaic facility located in Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. With a capacity of 8 MW, it is a small-to-medium scale solar installation that supports the country's growing renewable energy portfolio. The plant is owned by SSE-PV8 Project and is part of Thailand's efforts to diversify its energy mix. The facility operates under Thailand's Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP), which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid. Solar PV technology is well-suited to Thailand's tropical climate, with high solar irradiance levels throughout the year. The plant's 8 MW capacity is typical for utility-scale solar projects in the region, feeding electricity into the local distribution network. Environmentally, the plant contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based generation. Solar PV installations have minimal water consumption and low operational emissions. The facility's location in Kanchanaburi Province, known for its agricultural landscape, integrates renewable energy generation without significant land-use conflicts. The plant supports Thailand's goal of achieving 30% renewable energy by 2037 under the Power Development Plan.
Environmental context
Kanchanaburi Province features a mix of agricultural land and forested areas. Solar PV plants like Phanom Thuan occupy land that could otherwise be used for farming, but they provide clean energy with no air or water pollution. The region's high solar insolation makes it ideal for solar generation, and the plant helps reduce reliance on natural gas and imported energy.
Frequently asked questions
Phanom Thuan Solar Power Plant is located in Phanom Thuan District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.
The plant has an installed capacity of 8 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar PV facility.
The plant is owned by SSE-PV8 Project, a special purpose vehicle for solar energy development.
Thailand's Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) and Power Development Plan set targets for renewable energy, including solar PV, with feed-in tariffs and net metering schemes to encourage investment.
By generating electricity from solar energy, the plant reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to fossil fuel plants, supporting Thailand's climate goals.