Solar Photovoltaic Potential and Environmental Performance in Tropical Urban Thailand: A Secondary-Data Assessment of Pak Kret, Nonthaburi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajise.v5i3.8726Keywords:
Environmental Factors, Rooftop Solar, Solar Irradiance, Solar Photovoltaic, Tropical ClimateAbstract
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly important for sustainable energy development in tropical countries, where high solar availability is accompanied by environmental conditions that may influence system performance. This study assessed solar PV potential and key environmental constraints in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand, using publicly available secondary data and a narrative synthesis of relevant scientific literature. Annual solar-resource indicators obtained from the Global Solar Atlas were evaluated together with environmental factors including solar irradiance, temperature, relative humidity, dust and soiling, wind, shading, and panel tilt. The study area showed a Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) of 1,800.6 kWh/m²/year and a Global Tilted Irradiation (GTI) of 1,851.1 kWh/m²/year. Estimated photovoltaic power output (PVOUT) was 1,452.6 kWh/kWp/year, corresponding to approximately 3.98 kWh/kWp/day and an approximate capacity factor of 16.6%. The optimal annual panel tilt was 15°, at which GTI was approximately 2.8% higher than horizontal irradiation. Evidence from the literature indicates that high module temperature, humidity, dust accumulation, and shading may reduce PV performance, whereas wind can improve thermal dissipation. Overall, Pak Kret has favorable potential for rooftop PV deployment; however, system design should account for local thermal and environmental constraints. Because the analysis is based on modeled secondary data rather than field measurements, the findings should be interpreted as a preliminary location-specific assessment and validated through future on-site monitoring.
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