Bangkok--6 Aug--PTT Mr. Metta Banturngsuk, Director-teneral, Department of energy Business, Ministry of Energy, Mr. Prasert Bunsumpun, President of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), and Mr. Suchat Singyou, Assistant Governor of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), chaired the Opening Ceremony of “the Pilot Solar-Cell Petrol Station” which is Thailand’s first and largest solar-cell petrol station located at PTT Service Station Bangna-Trad Road KM 14 Branch, Bangplee District, Samutprakarn Province. Mr. Prasert said to respond to the government’s policy to solve the problem on energy crisis and to ease the global greenhouse effect, “the Pilot Solar-Cell Petrol Station” which is the latest innovation in oil business represents another step forward on alternative energy development after PTT has become the pioneer in introducing gasohol and natural gas for vehicles (NGV) to the markets. PTT Solar-Cell Station has generated and used electricity from its solar-cell electricity generating unit since May 26 this year. The Station has joined its electricity generating system with the MEA’s electricity transmission network; therefore, during excess capacity, the Solar-Cell Station is allowed to sell the surplus to the MEA. This becomes a truly effective pilot project on efficient management of alternative energy resources. “PTT’s Pilot Solar-Cell Station” has installed totally 243 1.55-square meter Mono-Crystalline-Silicon (180 W) Solar Cell plates at the roof of the dispenser island. The installed Solar-Cell sheets have the total electricity generating capacity upto 43.74 kilowatts. The electric power produced by solar cell is being used at the dispensers and surrounding area as well as the lighting of the Station. All sorts of alternative energy found in the retail market such as PTT Gasohol 91 Plus, PTT Gasohol 95 Plus, PTT Biodiesel (B5), and NGV are also available at PTT Solar-Cell Station. PTT President added that the installed solar-cell sheets which have 20-year useful life have passed the German TUV Standard and also followed all MEA standard requirements. In addition, the Station also set up the Vapour Recovery System and the Double Layer under ground tank system as well as two separate systems on waste water drainage and waste water treatment in order to be in line with PTT’s environmental friendly policy which the company has always been strictly followed. Mr. Prasert concluded that benefits derived from this “Pilot Solar-Cell Petrol Station” that can be immediately measured is the sharp decrease on Power Load which helps save fossil fuels by 15,000 liters/year and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released by up to 33,726 kilogram/year Telephone 0-2537-2571,2538 PTT Public Relations Division, Oil Business Group Facimile 0-2537-2572