How Many Peak Sun-Hours does Hua Hin Receive?

Written by: Greg Shaw, Solar Energy Consultant and Managing Director, Hua Hin Solar

As energy costs continue soaring, more individuals are considering solar power to be a viable and energy-efficient alternative for both their homes and workplaces. Besides being budget friendly, solar power also reduces pollution and has no detrimental effects on the environment. As result, it is one of the best options for those individuals who are truly concerned about the environment and rising effect of global warming.

But before you figure out the benefits of solar power, it is highly essential to understand the nitty gritties of this system. You need to have a clear idea about the peak sun-hours, the operation of solar panels, the basic requirements for running the solar panels effectively and the ways in which you can achieve the maximum results from your available solar power.

How much sun will your solar panel array need?

Solar power is generated by trapping the necessary energy from the sun. But in order to harness this power, you will need solar panels which are usually made from crystalline silicon. New solar concentrator technologies use a structure of several lenses and mirrors for maximizing the light that your panels are getting. The lenses, when exposed to sunlight, develop an electric current which is then harnessed for generating electricity.

Solar panels require a direct source of sunlight for producing maximum output. These panels also absorb solar energy during cloudy or windy days. This is because solar panels also utilise diffuse / scattered light to produce solar energy.

In order to generate the highest level of sunlight, your panels should directly face the south (or east / west) and be located in a zone where they aren’t shaded by trees or buildings. While you can always hire a solar professional for determining the STC (Standard Test Conditions) and the best position for the panels, you can also come up with a sun chart or buy/rent solar pathfinders for figuring out the amount of sunlight your panels receive on regular days.

What do Peak Sun-Hours stand for?

While getting an idea about the amount of sunlight received by your solar panels is highly essential, it is equally necessary to understand how much energy your panels can produce. This representation is known as the peak sun-hours and it is extremely necessary to figure out on your average solar production. To put it more simply, peak sun-hour equates to the hour when the sunlight’s intensity is 1000 watts for every square meter under STC.

The sun’s overall radiation and insolation, changes from time to time according to the position of the sun, the position of the clouds, and other relevant atmospheric conditions.

• Solar radiation is usually at its peak during the noon. But lesser angles of the sun at both the sunrise and sunset suggests that the atmosphere is filtering the sunlight thereby leading to lesser generation of energy.
• The hours of the sun can be relatively more during summer because the sun has a relatively higher position in the sky.
• Solar energy increases in the zones nearer to the equator because these points are closest to the sun.

How many peak sun-hours does Hua Hin receive?

Usually most parts of Thailand receive between 4 and 5.5 peak sun-hours on an average, although several zones might experience relatively lesser hours during the monsoon season and increased hours during the sizzling summer and dry winter.

Understanding the annual and seasonal average of these peak hours is one of the best tools for figuring out whether your solar panels is a solid investment or not.

For those solar-techies out there, you could invest in an insolation meter (or DIY) if you are looking to calculate the accurate amount of insolation received by your solar panels. For this, you will have to place the meter under direct sunlight while waiting for the reading. This meter will provide you all the necessary data about the supply of solar power, the intensity of light and temperature.

A solar insolation map will show you the average daily or yearly amount of solar energy received by your location. Many charts and listings too have rolled out for compiling specific data about for all parts of Thailand. You can use these charts for determining the average amount of peak sun-hours received by your panels.

The staff at Hua Hin Solar Co. Ltd. relies on the charts and data – shown visually in this insolation map for Thailand below – to perform it’s peak sun-hour, power output and household savings calculations. You will see Hua Hin enjoys among the highest average incident solar radiation (about 1900 KWh/sqm/A.S. or 5.2 peak sun-hours/day) in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Once you have a complete idea about these peak sun-hours you can then maximize the power output of your solar panel system. This will increase your savings and can show that solar energy technology is a viable investment for your home or business.

Hua Hin Solar Co., Ltd., is Hua Hin’s largest and most dependable solar energy company. We provide exceptional products and services at affordable prices and we offer long-term customer care. Our Team is committed to using green solar and wind energy to help our retail customers and residential/business partners make the necessary transition towards energy independence. “We design and install affordable solar systems with the highest yields and fastest payback periods. For your free, no commitment consultation contact us today at huahinsolar@gmail.com. If you have anything less than a great experience with Solar Shop Hua Hin please call my cell.” Greg, Solar Energy Consultant and Managing Director, +66(0)89 824 1963.