St. Dominic Savio School, Bangkok, Thailand installs solar energy system

The Board of Directors and Executives of Saint Dominic School in Bangkok, Thailand recognized the importance of implementing sustainable practices to promote environmental stewardship. With this in mind, the school decided to develop an energy conservation project by utilizing renewable sources like solar panels in the school’s infrastructure, further reinforcing the Laudato Si activity. Moreover, this exercise aligns with Pope Francis’s encyclical, which emphasizes promoting a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature as the conceptual framework for using natural resources wisely. In addition to the environmental benefits, solar energy also serves as an educational tool, facilitates teaching and learning activities, and reduces electricity expenses.

 The Salesian Society Foundation of Thailand’s DON BOSCO GREEN ALLIANCE initiative not only focuses on utilizing solar energy for electricity generation in schools but instilling a sense of environmental responsibility to foster a culture of sustainability by increasing green spaces and balancing nature.

 For installing the solar cell system at Saint Dominic School, the project started with a meeting, planning, surveying, and calculating the area for purchasing materials and equipment. Solar panels with the newest technology, made of high-quality premium-grade silicon, were installed in March 2022, and the installation was completed on Sunday, September 18, 2022. The solar panels were installed on the Bosco, Savio, and Michael Rua Building rooftops. There are 816 solar panels, 605 watts, occupying an area of 2,000 square meters. The final phase was completed at the beginning of 2023. 

 Benefits from the installation of solar panels are as follows:

1. By reducing monthly electricity bills, the payback period is short, and the differences in electricity expenses can be utilized for something else.

2. Solar energy is environmentally friendly as it is a green energy source. It helps reduce global warming. Solar energy uses the sun’s light and heat to generate renewable or green energy.

3. The solar panels help reduce the heat reaching the roof. They provide shade during daylight, saving electricity as air conditioners do not need to work harder.