Abstract
This study aims to investigate problems, obstacles, and solutions
of solar cell maintenance at a school in remote area. The Ban Pilok Khi Border Patrol Police School is used as case study. The 33 key informants were 5 teachers, 6 staff, 20 students, a person who install solar system at Pilok Khi Border Patrol Police School, and an officer from the Department of Alternative Energy Development in Kanchanaburi. Open-ended structural interview is used and data were analyzed using content analysis from all groups.
Solar energy investment allows people in remote areas access to energy that improves their quality of life. It is recognized as clean and sustainable energy. However, it requires sufficient maintenance. Inadequate care for solar panels can reduce the amount of energy it can generate. This is why the investigation on problems and obstacles for solar cell maintenance needs to be done.
The results showed that solar system of the school contains defected parts which is caused by both too long usage times and mismanagement of the system. Inverter is reported as out of order most frequency due to the lightning which often occurs. Batteries and solar panels are also damaged sometimes. Weather patterns and high volume of dust are main problem as it causes the system cannot work properly. The school staff do not arm with proper knowledge in maintenance the system. They do not aware on the importance of maintenance system. Thus many parts of the system including solar panels are left with dust. It would be better if they clean the system, particularly the panel, every two weeks.
However, it is understandable that the school have limited numbers of staff and they all are full with routine assignments. They lie the maintenance responsibility on the shoulders on the installers.
To solve the problems, training course about solar system maintenance should be provided to the school’s staff. And they must provide a compact and comprehensive solar system maintenance schedule for help everybody can understand in the solar system maintenance. Then should be set a group of teachers and students for take care of the system in each building, it can improve their skills about solar system maintenance. For example, cleaning the solar panel every two months, cleaning the other part every 1 month. Finally, the leader should cultivate consciousness
with all teachers and students, feeling ownership and willing to cooperate in the maintenance of solar cells.
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