PHOTON International The Photovoltaic Magazine

Solartron aiming for Thai module production by end of year

A Thai PV integrator based in Bangkok is building a factory to manufacture mono- and polycrystalline modules in the northeast of the country. Solartron Co. Ltd., a distributor of Shell modules, hopes to take delivery of two NPC laminators from Japan in November and start production of the modules, ranging in size from 10 to 300 W, by December.

	© Solartron Co. Ltd.
Nearing completion: Solartron's 2,200 m² factory could start mono- and polycrystalline module assembly as early as December.

Chakarin Chavanich, Solartron's marketing division manager, says the company has a goal of tripling the initial 10 MW capacity sometime next year by adding more production equipment. So far, Solartron has invested $2.5 million in the project.

Solartron, which had previously manufactured monocrystalline modules at a 1 MW Thai factory as part of a joint venture with PV manufacturer NAPS France S.A., decided to build its own factory in response to recent moves by Thailand to increase its solar portfolio. In April, the government announced a program to install 290,000 solar home systems (SHS) – equal to 35 MW – in off-grid areas of the country by autumn of 2005 (see PI 7/2003, p. 46). In addition, Chakarin says Solartron also hopes to win contracts on follow-up projects to a 500 kW solar farm being installed by RWE Schott Solar GmbH in the Mae Hong Son province (see PI 3/2003, p. 33). While the government has been making noises about adding another 4.75 MW of PV power plants, no decisions have been announced yet.

Chakarin says cells will be sourced from various suppliers, including Shell Solar and Q-Cells AG. Once production starts, the company, which plans to export modules within Southeast Asia, will submit samples to the JRC lab in Ispra, Italy for certification, a process expected to take six months. In the meantime, it will seek local certification so Solartron can take part in bidding for the SHS program. Chakarin says the company will maintain its role as a Shell distributor.

The new 2,200 m² Solartron factory is located in Nakornratchasima province, about 150 km north of Bangkok. It will include a training center and a demonstration park for the public and for teaching purposes.