The Study of Solar Energy Using Requirement in Agricultural Sector: Sa Kaeo Province Case Study

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to 1) investigate the problems in the management of solar energy in the agricultural sector of Sa Kaeo province, 2) examine the farmers' demand for solar energy, and 3) propose effective and sustainable management strategies for the utilization of solar energy. To this end, the study used a two-phase design and a mixed methodology. 75 participants — including farmers from Thung Maha Charoen sub-district in Sa Kaeo province, as well as representatives from government agencies, SOEs, the private sector, energy specialists and entrepreneurs — were interviewed in depth in the qualitative phase. A content analysis was conducted to examine the data from the semi-structured interviews. For the quantitative phase of the survey, 385 participants from Sa Kaeo province were selected through purposive sampling. Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used as statistical analysis methods.

The results showed that 1) The farmers encounter numerous obstacles, such as elevated installation expenses, restricted access to financing, inadequate governmental assistance, a deficiency in knowledge and expertise, a complicated permitting procedure, and the lack of a structured community-level energy management framework. 2)  There is a high level of interest among farmers in adopting solar energy, particularly for agricultural purposes. However, financial constraints and limited access to relevant technologies remain significant barriers. 3) Farmers believe that tax incentives, non-repayable grants, and the supply of reasonably priced equipment are the most successful government initiatives.  Training and assessment initiatives, on the other hand, are seen as less important.  Decentralization, improved assistance at the community level, and cooperation amongst several stakeholders should all be used to reinforce these efforts.