REC, a leading global provider of solar energy solutions, donated 64 REC Peak Energy Series panels to three schools in Thailand.
The donation helped the schools – Prep School in Bangkok, Mechai Pattana School in Pattaya and Kaho Plueak School in Chiang Rai – better meet their energy needs through the additional energy provided by the solar panels. It further presented 900 school children an opportunity to learn more about solar energy, as a form of clean renewable energy.
The installation in Mechai Pattana School utilizes 40 REC Peak Energy Series solar panels and has a system size of 10 kW. The 3 kW installations in Prep School and Kaho Plueak School consist of 12 REC Peak Energy Series solar panels each.
While Thailand produces energy domestically, this only meets half of the primary energy needs of the country. Thailand imports energy for the rest of its needs. The local authorities are looking to obtain a quarter of its energy from renewable sources by 2021.
“We are pleased to be able to contribute our solar panels to the schools,” said Jose Luis Martin, Project Development Manager, Thailand, REC. “More than a business, REC sees itself as a responsible corporate citizen. We consider the long term value and effect of our business practices and we believe in investing in local communities.”
“Sponsoring the solar panels not only embodies the REC vision – that every person benefits from electricity directly from the sun – but also allows us to help children in Thailand understand the importance of taking a sustainable approach to energy needs,” added Jose Luis Martin.
The sponsorship was initiated by Sonnedix, which installed close to 41,000 REC Peak Energy Series solar panels in the largest solar energy power plant in northern Thailand in April 2013. The 9.5 MW power generator in Chiang Rai provided clean solar electricity to 7,200 households in the area.
Franck Constant, Chairman of Sonnedix, approached REC to sponsor solar panels for the schools because of his positive experience with the company in past installations, both in Thailand as well as other projects in Europe. “We chose to work with REC again because REC’s Peak Energy Series solar panels are one of the most reliable options for the weather and climate condition in Thailand,” said Franck Constant.
One of the many accolades REC’s Peak Energy Series solar panels have received is the enhanced certification from SERIS (Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore) for potential-induced degradation (PID) resistance. In one of the harshest PID tests in the industry, REC Peak Energy Series solar panels were able to demonstrate their suitability in regions with high temperatures and high humidity.
Source: REC Group
