The listed company, which assembles solar cells and installs systems for solar energy, plans to increase its business in the private sector to maintain sales at last year's level of Bt1.1 billion, said CEO Akaradej Rojmetha.

Akaradej said more than 90 per cent of sales last year came from the government's solar-energy project. Now that bidding for the third phase of the project had been delayed, Solartron's sales could fall below last year's level, he said.

He said the company would try to maintain its sales at last year's level by shifting to three sorts of private-sector clients: manufacturers applying for ISO 14000 certification, resorts and home-owners who are environmentally aware and concerned about conserving energy.

Solartron aims to provide its solar systems to 2,000 manufacturers, 400 resorts and 1,000 home-owners nationwide, said Akaradej.

The company expects revenues from the private sector to total Bt700 million this year, while revenues from government projects is estimated at Bt400 million. Among the government projects are solar cells for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the third phase of the solar-home project, which may open for bidding in June.

The price of solar cells remains a key obstacle to their widespread use, because they are more expensive than other electricity-generating systems.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation