Optimal Photovoltaic Resources Harvesting in Grid-connected Residential Rooftop and in Commercial Buildings: Cases of Thailand

Photovoltaic (PV) has recently undergone impressive growth and substantial cost decreases. A single-crystal silicon (mono-Si) or polycrystalline (poly-Si) have been dominant for solar rooftop and in commercial buildings installation in the past years. However until recently thin-film PV modules both amorphous silicon (a-Si) and other non-silicon thin films technology have been advance efficiency developments with low cost. The competition of crystalline and thin film solar panel technologies drives the cost significantly decreased and helps the solar investors for a good financial profit return for a shorter time. This study by satellite-derived data, Solar GIS pvPlanner software shows that the highest output is in a-Si, CdTe and followed by CIS, and c-Si PV modules for the locations considered in this study. The average energy output of amorphous panels in residential solar rooftop installed in Bangkok has the highest values of 1,503 kWh/kWp. The average energy output of amorphous panels in commercial building installed in Chonburi province has the highest values of 1,601 kWh/kWp. The optimal inclination angle is 15° south direction in both areas. Finally, the economic assessment of solar panels is also investigated for the feasibility investment by RETscreen model.