Solartron advances home-grown solar power technology

Advanced battery charging technology has the potential to take solar energy to widespread use among homes and electric vehicles throughout Southeast Asia. Solartron, which is vigorously expanding solar power generation in Thailand, plans to spread its advanced technology by taking advantage of regional integration in Asean by 2015.

"Solar will be the key renewable energy source in the near future," says Patama Wongtoythong, CEO of Solartron.

The first and only solar energy company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, Solartron pioneered the nation's solar module assembly in 2005.

The company is also behind Southeast Asia's largest solar plant - the 44-megawatt solar project of Bangchak Petroleum in Ayutthaya province. As engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the Bangchak project, Solartron guarantees the plant's AC output for 25 years, a global first in power warranty schemes.

Providing 80 per cent of government solar installations in Thailand, Solartron further helped the Thai government roll out solar water-pumping systems across vast rural areas together with Grundfos, one of the world's largest solar pump makers. Solartron provides custom-built solar installations as grid-connected systems and for street and traffic lighting, telecommunications and battery charging systems. Industrial clients include Thai trading house SCT, Siam United Steel and Daikin Industries. A solar module supplier to Germany's Schüco, it also exports to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.

Regional economic integration within Asean will make the company's advanced battery charging technology more affordable across the envisioned Asean Economic Community. Solartron is keen on partnerships with EPC contractors in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar as a first step to spreading the technology.