With the new Thammasat Solar Park officially launched last month, Thammasat University's Rangsit campus will never be the same again.
Thammasat Solar Park, says the university, is the country's first park to be fully powered by solar energy. Thanarak Khunton
The vast area in front of the Administrative Building is currently being transformed into a solar energy park, making it the country's first park to be powered by clean and sustainable solar energy. The park was officially opened on Sept 24 by Rector Somkid Lertpaitoon and attended by the university's administrative committee, students and guests.
Prof Somkid said the Rangsit campus aims to become a sustainable facility and the solar-powered park is part of its environmental efforts. The solar park is intended to reduce the campus's electricity bill of about 300 million baht a year.
Covering 5,500 square metres, the park incorporates facilities that have environmental benefits and encourages people to look to simple sustainable living.
This multi-functional park is carefully designed to serve the particular needs of users and incorporates many different activities. It can become a reading corner for students or a workout space after school. The park also serves as an outdoor classroom where students can stay in harmony with nature.
One of the most striking features of the park is an 800-metre bike lane in front of the park.
The park adds more green space to the campus, making students, staff and visitors feel close to nature, said Prof Somkid, and it also provides a safe zone for cyclists and pedestrians. So, it is easier than ever to get around the campus without a car. This encourages students to adopt simple and environmentally
friendly behaviour.
Associate Prof Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, vice-rector of Student Affairs and Learning, said all of the electricity used in the park, such as outdoor lighting along the bike lane, lighting for the performance stage, decorative lighting and lighting for outdoor classrooms, is generated by solar panels.
Sixty units containing 60-watt light bulbs are installed on power poles along the bike lane. Two sets of 600-watt LED lights are provided at the performance stage and at the space for other outdoor activities.
The solar panels are installed on the roofs of three classrooms and a riverside pavilion. These panels can generate a maximum combined capacity of 5,000 watts of electricity.
Three additional sets of solar panels are scattered around the park with a combined production capacity of 2,500 watts. Several energy-saving garden lights are also installed throughout the park.
Assoc Prof Prinya said the Thammasat Solar Park is normally dark to keep it free from artificial light pollution that can damage people's health.
"But we ensure that the park is bright enough for student activities," he said, adding the park is also designed to be a learning centre for innovative renewable energy for the public.
Designed by Thammasat University's faculty of agriculture and planning, the installation of the solar cell system in the park was carried out by the Institute of Renewable Energy Development of the Asia Pacific Foundation. A budget of 40 million baht was allocated to develop the park. It took about seven months to complete.
Prof Somkid said the university is committed to cultivating environmental awareness among its students to bolster sustainable development. Some green activities, including energy and water saving as well as recycling of materials, help to promote the programme.
"We want to make a difference to the environment and to the people," he said, adding about 14,000 students, lecturers and officials use the campus every day.
He said the university's board is considering solar panels for the roofs of every building on the campus.
Assoc Prof Gasinee Witoonchart, deputy rector of administrative and planning, said student involvement in the green activities encourages them to create less waste.
She said the campus incorporates a comprehensive green and sustainable strategy plan that can be seen in the selection of construction materials that are friendly to the environment, reusable water for plants in the campus's gardens, recycling activities and the solar-powered park.
She said several recycling bins are placed at the campus's canteen and other areas to encourage students to sort rubbish.
"Every effort has been made to achieve the campus's goal of becoming a sustainable campus to help save the planet," Assoc Prof Gasinee said.
The campus plans to provide organic foods at its canteen and to reduce paper use.
Yuttakan Makphan, president of the Healthy Public Policy Foundation and Institute of Renewable Energy Development of the Asia Pacific Foundation, said it took more than a year for his team to design a plan for the solar-powered park, but only about six months to construct it.
Initially, he said, many people expressed concern about whether the Rangsit campus was feasible for a solar-powered park project. This was because the area was not completely open. It was dotted with trees and bush and that would make it difficult for the park to take full advantage of clean energy.
"The design has proven to be a success," he said, adding Thammasat Solar Park is wholly powered by the sun, making it the first of its kind in the country, while other parks are only partially solar powered.
Sakkarin Kraisit, president of Thammasat University Student Union, said the park provided "lungs" for students who can sit back and relax after class, enjoy fresh air and get involved in relaxing activities.
Decharut Sukkumnoed, director of the Healthy Public Policy Foundation, said sustainable solar energy was booming in many countries.
A combination of innovative technology and careful design can help people to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy, he said.
"We don't think that a park will change the world but we're creating awareness about solar power," Mr Decharut said.
He pointed out the role of technology in sustainable development and environmental management. Thammasat Solar Park is a shining example of what a sustainable park should be, he said.
"I hope that this solar-powered park will set a good example for other agencies and also will inspire people to come up with something positive for the sake of the environment," Mr Decharut said.
He said the public should take environmental responsibility seriously. He urged people to make simple changes to their everyday routines to lead a more sustainable way of life.
"We need to give environmental education to the public."