7.4.4 Policy development for clean energy technology

In 2025, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) informed and supported local government in clean energy technology. Through the Excellent Center for Sustainable Engineering (ECSE) of the Faculty of Engineering, SWU worked with the Ongkharak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the local government of the area around the University’s Ongkharak Campus in Nakhon Nayok Province, to identify how solar energy could be used on local farms and to share this technology with the community. This local cooperation is grounded in the University’s SWU Zero Carbon policy, which commits SWU to promote alternative energy and to collaborate with external agencies on energy conservation.

Working with the Ongkharak Subdistrict Administrative Organization on solar energy

From 1 March to 15 July 2025, ECSE ran the project “Integration of Knowledge on Solar Energy Utilisation for Sustainable Development and Agricultural Innovation in Farming Communities in Nakhon Nayok Province”. The project began with a survey of needs carried out with the Ongkharak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, so that the clean energy technology would match the work of local farms. Based on this survey, the team designed a solar energy prototype for agricultural use, built and tested it with the community, improved it according to farmers’ feedback, and prepared a user and maintenance manual.

On 26–27 June 2025, the main training workshop was held at the Ongkharak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Ongkharak District. A total of 129 people took part, including 84 farmers from Ongkharak and neighbouring subdistricts, 31 engineering students and 14 Faculty of Engineering staff. Five SWU lecturers and one lecturer from Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi covered solar energy principles, solar cell systems, system types and solar-powered agricultural innovations. Farmers asked for systems with a higher power rating, and the SWU team recommended fixed solar installations as the next step for the area.

Figure 1. Solar energy training workshop at the Ongkharak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Ongkharak District, Nakhon Nayok Province, 26–27 June 2025.

Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D0MOPMd56eIsuutDbQpdmLaCtt-7WTtp/view

University policy on clean energy and collaboration with external agencies

The Policy on Carbon Neutrality (Carbon Neutral – Scope 1) by 2050 and Achieving Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2065 (SWU Zero Carbon) and Waste Separation within the University (SWU Zero Waste) was announced on 13 December 2024 by the Acting President of SWU and applies throughout 2025. Item 4 of the policy commits the University to promote alternative energy sources, such as solar cells and floating solar systems, and to collaborate with external agencies on energy conservation.

Figure 2. SWU Zero Carbon / SWU Zero Waste policy, announced on 13 December 2024 by the Acting President of Srinakharinwirot University.

Source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RfkRyrs-IJXZ1DNKW3evwUw8CyXDzgLQ/view

Summary

In 2025, SWU used its engineering expertise in clean energy technology to support local government. Working with the Ongkharak Subdistrict Administrative Organization, the University surveyed local needs, designed and tested a solar energy system for farms, and held a training workshop at the organisation’s office for farmers and the local community. The project report and the University’s SWU Zero Carbon policy are publicly available online.