Solar energy car made by Cambodian

Kong Pharith, a former math and physics teacher from Kampong Chhnang province, uses his knowledge to successfully come up with a solar-energy-powered car.

The sound that was heard earlier was a trial attempt to move a car powered by solar energy and it was a first time that such a car is found in Cambodia. The car is the work of a former math and physics teacher from Kampong Chhnang province. Kong Pharith is this native teacher of Kampong Chhnang.For the idea to come up with such a car, Kong Pharith, who is currently the chairman of the Able Builder Organization and also chairman of the Phnom Penh-based Intelligent Planning Center, indicated that, prior to coming up with this vehicle, he spent about 6 months researching for the right formula. His solar-energy car attempt comes at the heel of his invention of the solar-energy powered bicycle which he was also successful last year.He added that for the solar-energy powered car, he used second-hand parts and assembled them together before adding solar energy cell battery and motor.Kong Pharith said: “for the engine to run fast or slow, if we don’t know how to control it, when the motor is running slow, it is weak because there is not enough electrical power. When it is weak, it cannot pull the car forward, but after researching, we use the PMW [technology]. For the PMW … we use a wave to control the engine to speed up while maintaining the engine power. There were several trials made during the research phase.”Kong Pharith indicated also that his car can carry 2 to 4 passengers at a speed of 30 to 40 km/h. The car itself weights 750 kilos, and the solar cell can produce between 2,000 to 2,430-watt of power daily. The car can be driven between 30 to 40 km per day.He also indicated that if there is no sunlight, or if the driver wants to drive farther, the car battery can be charged by electricity because his car is equipped with a dual battery system.

Kong Pharith said: “Therefore, this car uses a dual hybrid system. We are not relying on solar energy alone, we also have a electrical input to charge the battery, and we can still use it. In the future, we will also add a small [fuel?] engine in there as well. When we want to drive far, we can rely on the additional small [fuel] engine to help the solar power energy move the car forward. Every part is available in Cambodia, so that in the future, if the car breaks down, all parts can be bought from the market for replacement.”Kong Pharith indicated also that for his first attempt to come up with the solar-energy powered car, he spent more than $3,000. He believes that his expense is too high because the parts are expensive, especially the solar cell panel installed on the roof of the car. The cost for a 130-watt solar panel is close to $700 and a small 20-watt solar panel costs about $100.He added: “Some of the parts that we need to buy are transistors which are essentially small semi-conductors. We use them to control the speed of the motor. At first, some of them burnt up and were damaged. We tried other types unsuccessfully, so we have to make several changes, but at the end, we were successful, we found a way to use them with success.”Regarding this solar-energy car, Nget Vibol, director of the patent office of the ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, said that he knew about this story, and he had also encouraged the inventors.Nget Vibol added that he knew about the car, but he had not met the inventors yet and they had not come forward to apply for a patent yet.Nget Vibol said: “He let us know about this car already, but he must apply for a private patent, so we leave this up to the inventors to decide, we are not forcing them, except to say that some of the technologies used requires other expertise.”Kong Pharith said that he did not apply for a patent yet because he has just completed his research and his car.He said that he will apply for a patent when he can bring his car to the ministry of Public Works for an inspection in the future.

Besides this solar-energy powered car, Kong Pharith also came up with a solar-energy powered bicycle, but because of lack of funding and not many people know or pay attention on his invention. Up to now, he assembled together 4 solar-energy powered bicycles. He indicated also that he recently received some orders for solar-energy bicycles from overseas, including from France.“I don’t dare produce too many of these bicycles because each one of them costs between $300 to $400. We try to lower the cost, but we were not able to. Lowering the cost means lower quality. Steel bicycles are too heavy, therefore we must decrease their weight. For the solar powered car, I want to decrease the weight also, because the lighter they are, the better they are,” Kogn Pharith said.He indicated also that, besides coming up with his ideas, he also tries to teach others [on the technology]. He usually charges $200 for the 2-month training, however, for poor students from the provinces, he teaches them free of charge. He currently has 10 students learning under him.

Going Green

A Move Towards Solar, What Can You Do?
Embassy Phnom Penh is procuring 56 small solar panels and three large solar panels that will recharge the batteries on all generators at residences and the Embassy compound. Right now, the batteries are charged from an outlet. The solar panels will recharge the batteries so all generators will be off city electricity. According to our expert consultant, the panels will pay for themselves in eight months. This switch will save the embassy over $7,000 per year in electrical costs, but will also reduce emissions up to 1,436 lbs of CO2 a year!
Did you know the generation of electric power produces more pollution than any other single industry in the United States? The NRDC’s 2008 Benchmarking Air Emissions Report (most recent 2006 data) shows the U.S. electricity industry was responsiblefor:
70% of sulfur dioxide emissions that contribute to acid rain
20% of nitrogen oxide emissions that contribute to urban smog
40% of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global climate change
68% of mercury air emissions that pose significant health risks
Among the other major environmental issues linked to electricity are water impacts, generation of wastes, and the disruption of land uses.
Electricity is also playing an increasingly important role in our personal lives and in the global economy. Electricity powered computer and communication systems are more and more important parts of our lives and our economy. Because we are demanding more electricity service we must avoid increasing the damage to our environment by using electricity efficiently and by obtaining electricity from the cleanest sources available.
U.S. household energy in 2007
The U.S. spends more than $13 billion‐a‐year on energy for home water heating. That is the equivalent of 11.4 barrels of oil per household, more than the amount of oil burned by a medium‐sized automobile driven 12,000 miles.
Water heating accounts for approximately one‐fourth of the total energy used in a typical single-family home. An electric water heater is the single biggest energy user of all appliances in the home.
Computers use between 65 watts and 250 watts. The monitor often needs between 35 watts and 80 watts of electricity as well.
How do we meet our energy needs while addressing pressing environmental impacts linked to our inevitable increase in power consumption? There are various generating technologies that produce electric power. The variety of fuels used to generate electricity all has some impact on the environment. Fossil fuel power plants release air pollution, require large amounts of cooling water, and can mar large tracts of land during the mining process. Nuclear power plants are generating and accumulating copious quantities of radioactive waste that currently lack any repository. Even renewable energy facilities can affect wildlife (fish and birds), involve hazardous wastes, or require cooling water.The environmental consequences of all these technologies vary significantly. While none of these technologies are free from environmental impacts, focusing on personally saving energy may be the best way to affect change.
There are numerous energy saving tips for both work and home:
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Turn off the lights after you leave a room.
Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
Take short showers instead of baths.
Solar power panels on the home (Of all of the major types of water heating systems, solar energy systems offer the biggest potential savings to homeowners‐ with owners saving 85 percent on their utility bills over the costs of electric water heating).
Close your drapes and blinds during the night.
Use a clothesline or a laundry rack instead of a dryer.
Keep the fridge clean and well ventilated
The US Embassy in Phnom Penh is on its way to becoming GREENER. What are YOU going to do?

Renewable energy suppliers find their place under the sun

As the world scrambles to harness alternative energy sources, the importance of solar power has risen concurrently, but is Cambodia contributing to the demand?

Tropical regions should be the ideal place to generate solar electricity. Developing countries along the equator get fairly consistent sunlight year-round and could use this to harness the free energy the sun provides.However, high initial investment costs have made the option prohibitive for most.Solar power is not a new idea in Cambodia. In fact, one company brought solar here more than 10 years ago. NGOs had the capital to invest in the equipment, and many of their projects were far from functioning power lines. Also, the foreign staff were aware of the benefits of using renewable energy.Kunthap Hing, an adviser for Khmer Solar, was working with the World Bank in the early 2000s, studying the viability of renewables, energy efficiency and conservation. "The World Bank was a big supporter of solar and still is," he said. "They helped fund studies showing that, if the initial costs could be brought down, rural Cambodia would benefit from solar power."Ten years ago, the initial investment cost for solar panels, batteries and a charge converter averaged $10 per kilowatt. To power a small TV for two to three hours, you would need a 130-watt system. Therefore, the cost of buying and installing that system would have been $1,300. For an oil-run generator, the investment cost is 50 cents per kilowatt and would have cost $75 for the same capacity. However, the prices for solar have dropped considerably in recent years. It now costs $5-$8 per kilowatt, depending on the size and complexity of the system. The lower costs have brought more interest, and there are now more than a dozen companies selling solar power systems in Cambodia. European countries have invested heavily in solar, with Germany one of the leaders in the field. Better technology has led to more efficient power converters and new sealed-gel batteries, which last longer and are easier to handle than the wet-cell batteries found in most cars. Though wet-cell batteries only last two to three years in Cambodia's heat, These cutting-edge power sources are designed to work in a 30-degree environment, which is important because the system is centred on the battery, which is also the weakest part. Although the battery will need replacing every so often, the converters and solar panels have warranties anywhere from 25-40 years and a probable lifespan of much longer. All of these advances, combined with lower front-end costs, have made the systems more competitive with other electrical options.According to The World Bank Web site: "Electricity tariffs in Cambodia are among the highest in the world. "The average tariff charged by Electricite du Cambodge is 16 US cents/kWh, ranging from 9 to 23 cents/kWh, with even higher tariffs outside Phnom Penh. "The tariffs of the Rural Electricity Enterprises (REE) range from 30 to 90 cents/kWh. Battambang has become the area with the most sales of late, because many of the farmers are wealthy but only the city centre has power. Sales trends have reversed recently, with 80 percent of solar systems being sold to private households and the rest to NGOs and government buildings.

My happy time with Daneth

Hello!!!

Here is my good memory with Daneath in Daneath's brother wedding at Kompong Cham Province.

We are very happy with this picture because it make me reminded every things that we done to gether in every where in Cambodia.

Her name Mo Daneath she is a lastest daughter in her family.Her smile make me happy for long time, I hope she will give me her smiling forever...

Sovannara

Cambodia installs over 500 solar energy electricity generations in rural areas

Jul 14, 2009 - Xinhua
PHNOM PENH - More than 500 solar energy electricity generations have been installed in Cambodia's rural areas to help improving the living standard of poor people, local media reported on Tuesday.
The UNDP (United Nations Development Program) and local organizations, so far, have cooperated each other to install more than 500 solar energy electricity generations at the rural areas of Cambodia, where the electricity is not able to access for everyday life in households, schools and referral hospitals, according to Khmer language newspaper Rasmei Kampuchea.
"The producing of the solar energy electricity does not affect the environment and global warming, and the solar energy electricity will be used for healthcare and education fields," Kong Pharith, president of Capacity Building Organization was quoted as saying. Capacity Building Organization is an expert for installing the solar energy system at the rural areas in the country.
"When we have electricity, our local students can access to use computers in their schools," he added.
Now, the local organization and international organizations are focusing on the installation of battery charging stations for people in the rural areas, he said, adding that price for charging battery will be reduced to 30 percent with support from the UNDP.
Cambodia has 30 percent of its population living in poverty. Most of them live in the rural areas, while 80 percent are farmers.

Solar Energy

What is the Renewable Energy Division?

Comin Khmere Renewable Energy Division is all about clean and efficient energy.
We provide renewable energy solutions including photovoltaic solar systems, solar water heating, solar pumping, solar water purification, wind turbines, hydro-electrical and biomass/biogas solutions for urban and remote areas in Cambodia. We also provide energy saving appliances in AC and DC, including a complete range of indoor and outdoor lighting solutions, low consumption refrigerators, and televisions. The renewable energy division analyses, designs, installs, trains, and maintains renewable energy systems all over Cambodia.

Our Strengths

Comin Khmere has over 40 years of experience within Cambodia and is the Kingdom’s largest engineering solutions provider. The strength of Comin Khmere and its partners ensures financial durability and excellent technical expertise for our division in the renewable energy market.

Whether it be installing solar systems or designing comprehensive projects and programs, Comin Khmere Renewable Energy Division’s expertise is built upon quality human resources including educated local engineers and technologists as well as supportive international experts.
With excellent connections to the world’s leading manufacturers, the Renewable Energy Division can offer a wide range of solar energy products and rise to become a primary distributor for the area.

Solar Energy Systems

We have a variety of solar energy systems available in a range of sizes. We start with a basic 20 watt system and move to systems with much higher capacities like 5kW and up. These can be used to power lighting and basic appliances including radios, television, and VCD players. These systems can also be used in hotels, ecolodges, offices, farms and schools.

Energy Saving Lighting

We offer a complete range of energy saving lighting solutions that provide 20% to 90% savings. There are LED or fluorescent solutions for all types of indoor or outdoor lighting, including street lights.

Back up systems with AC inverter and batteries

Battery back up systems can be a very interesting alternative to generators when the grid power is not reliable. They can also be used for off-grid applications to prevent starting a generator when the power needs are low, enabling fuel savings without any noise! A pure sine wave inverter converts the direct current produced by the batteries and ensures the batteries will charge when the grid power or a generator is on.

Water Pump Systems

Our solar water pumps have higher efficiency and lower pumping costs in the long term than other standard pumps. They can pump up to 150,000 liters per day and work with DC voltage. The main applications are water supply and drip-pipe irrigation for cash crops production.
A solar pumping system includes a pump, a controller, a solar array and a water tank for water storage.

Solar Water Purification

We offer hardware that produces drinking water from untreated water through solar energy. Untreated water is filtered, discoloured, and sterilized by UV treatment. Chemicals like arsenic or lead can also be removed through optional filters. It can produce up to 4500 litres of drinking water per day, which is enough to satisfy the needs of more than 1000 people.

Solar Water Heating

We provide solar water heaters (180-10,000 liters) for hotels, resorts or private houses. The system includes an insulated tank, vacuum tube heat collectors and water pipes. They are reliable, efficient, and can heat water up to 75°C, keeping it hot for 3 days. In case of very cloudy days, an optional electrical back-up system can be installed.

Please contact us for a customized set-up and calculation - We consult before we sell!

Nº 2a, Down Town Road 7, Sangkat Chomchao,

Khan Dongkor, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel: (855) 16 821 123

Fax: (855) 23 885 651

E-mail: info@ceg.com.kh

p.sovannara@comin.com.kh

Websites: http://www.cominkhmere.com/

http://www.cleanenergycambodia.com/