The previous chapters presented research into barriers to using passive solar design strategies or solar energy technologies in buildings in Thailand. The method used has not previously been applied to the study of stakeholder perceived barriers to solar energy in Thailand and was used here to allow theory to be developed as to why solar energy is not utilised more.
The main objective of this research is to identify what building industry stakeholders perceive as barriers to using solar energy in buildings in Thailand and determine future changes to encourage consideration of using solar energy in buildings. It is intended that a greater understanding of these barriers will make it easier for government and other industry stakeholders to take steps to overcome the barriers and develop more energy efficient buildings.
The research participants were people with experience working on building projects in Thailand. While both residential and commercial buildings were discussed, most participants were experienced in high end residential buildings.
6.1
Conclusion
The following conclusions have been drawn from this research:
x Building industry stakeholders perceive a range of barriers to the use of solar energy. The perception of these barriers limits the interest in solar energy and most often detailed analysis of whether solar energy, in one form or another, should be incorporated into a project is not undertaken. Many of the barriers identified by participants were based on perception and may not be accurate with further investigation.
x There is little knowledge of passive solar design strategies in Thailand. Only a limited number of participants understood elements such as glazing and building materials as contributing to energy efficiency and a form of using solar energy. While some participants are knowledgeable about the impact of glazing and building materials on heat gain, they did not associate this with solar energy. x The primary barrier to the use of solar energy in buildings in Thailand is a lack
relating to awareness, knowledge, experience or understanding and recognised this as a barrier either in themselves or others.
x There is a difference between awareness and knowledge and any efforts to increase the consideration of solar energy in buildings needs to target those different levels encouraging both greater general awareness of solar energy as well as more specific knowledge required to use solar energy in buildings.
6.2
Recommendations
Painuly (2001) suggests that policies to increase the potential of renewable energy technologies can either remove barriers or create conditions that force the market to act in spite of barriers. The barriers identified in this research indicate six key areas where changes can be made to encourage greater consideration of solar energy. These are summarised in table 12 below.
Table 12: Summary of key policy areas to encourage greater use of solar energy Recommendation Relevant Barriers Identified
in Research
Possible Solutions
1. Reducing the cost
of solar energy x Cost of solar energy
x Payback periods & ROI
x Responsibility for ongoing costs
x Availability of financial instruments
x High import duties
x Government subsidies to reduce initial cost.
x Reduction of import duties for solar technologies.
x Guarantee of rates for
energy being sold back to the grid.
x Financial incentives for manufacturers in Thailand.
x Promoting greater awareness of traditional fuel costs and forecasts of cost increases. 2. Improving the performance of solar energy x Performance issues x Maintenance required x Lack of experience
x Limited people with current knowledge
x Research and development to improve efficiency of technologies.
x Provide training on correct installation and maintenance of technologies. 3. Increasing support from government and institutions x Availability of financial instruments x Corruption
x Loss of profit from electricity generating companies
x High import duties
x Lack of standards and laws
x Review of building codes and regulations relating to renewable energy.
x Greater formal education options in renewable energy.
x Encourage greater promotion by industry bodies.
Recommendation Relevant Barriers Identified in Research Possible Solutions 4. Incorporating the use of solar energy earlier in the building process
x Limitations of the building design process
x Increased complexity
x Giving foreign architects the ability to sign off designs in Thailand.
x Promote consideration of energy efficiency early in a project. 5. Increasing the availability of technology and expertise in Thailand
x Availability in Thailand x Greater promotion of technology manufactured in Thailand.
x Suppliers becoming more active in promoting their products and serving clients based throughout Thailand. 6. Increasing awareness and knowledge x Mindset x Maintenance required x Lack of experience x Lack of knowledge x Lack of awareness x Limited understanding
x Limited desire to increase knowledge
x Language of information
x Limited people with current knowledge
x Creating general awareness of environmental issues and renewable energy through the media.
x Increase availability of training materials directed at both the general public and building industry.
x Increase knowledge of analysis tools such as cost benefit analysis, building modelling.
x Establish greater availability of energy efficiency / renewable energy as a professional career option.
6.3
Suggestions for Future Research
This research provides a starting point for closer examination of the role of knowledge in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in buildings in Thailand. Given how important knowledge is to the use of solar energy it would be interesting to determine whether awareness and knowledge are disseminated differently and the most effective channels for distribution.
It would also be interesting to examine the differences in knowledge held by individuals and by organisations and how organisations in the building industry can promote greater use of solar energy despite the limitations of the project by project nature of the industry.