SPCG Public and Kyocera have announced the full operational launch of one of Southeast Asia's largest solar power projects. Since 2010, 35 "solar farms" totaling approximately 257 megawatts (MW) have been constructed under the project, and connected to the utility grid in Northeastern Thailand.

A ceremony held earlier this month in Surin Province commemorated the launch of the installations.

Thailand's rapidly expanding economy has brought rising concerns regarding the national power supply in recent years, alongside growing awareness of the need to reduce dependence on gas imports.

In order to diversify its energy portfolio, a feed-in-tariff system for renewable energy sources was adopted in 2007. In response to the resulting strong demand for renewable energy, SPCG commenced the solar farm project in 2009 to construct and operate multiple solar power plants in Thailand.

Kyocera was chosen to supply the necessary solar modules, totaling approximately 1,100,000 panels for all sites. The 35th solar farm was completed and connected to the utility grid in June 2014.

The project has an annual power output of approximately 345,000,000kWh - equal to the annual electrical consumption of approximately 287,500 Thai households*. The power generated from the solar farms will be supplied to the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA).

"Drawing from our four decades of experience in the solar industry, Kyocera has delivered high-quality solar modules which will generate clean, renewable energy for many years to come," stated Mr. Nobuo Kitamura, Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of the Corporate Solar Energy Group at Kyocera Corporation.

"Kyocera is honored to have taken part in this project, which we believe is an important milestone for the development of solar energy in Thailand."

"SPCG is very proud to be a pioneer of solar farm development in Thailand and the ASEAN community. SPCG is confident that our success will be an aid to future generations," said Ms. Wandee Khunchornyakong, CEO of SPCG Public Company Limited.

"We are highly honored to be able to achieve this together with Kyocera, our long-term partner, with whom we shared the same philosophy, vision, and determination to develop one of the best solar projects in the world."

The companies hope that the newly launched solar farms will reinforce the region's power supply. They remain committed to promoting solar energy as a means to attain a low-carbon society.

* Calculated by SPCG, based on an average annual household power consumption of 1,200kWh.