King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), in collaboration with Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna (RMUTL), the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), the HUB Net Zero Network, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), the Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development for Research and Innovation (PMU-B), and partner organizations, organized a workshop and seminar under the topic “AGRI-PV System Design Concept: Plant/Animal Selection for Energy and Food Production” on April 24, 2025, at KX Building, Krung Thonburi Road, Bangkok. This was followed by a visit to the Agri-PV system prototype, pilot plant, energy research, and business matching discussions on April 25, 2025, at KMUTT Bangkhuntien, Bangkok.
The seminar focused on integrating solar cell (Photovoltaic) technology with agriculture to maximize land and resource utilization. Key topics included the design and performance evaluation of solar cells for agriculture, aquaculture in systems under solar panels, animal husbandry under limited energy conditions, the potential of Agri-PV in co-producing food and energy, research and development of animal feed from energy crops, and the growth trends of food/feed ingredients from Agri-PV systems.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suvit Saetia, President of KMUTT, delivered the opening remarks, and Prof. Dr. Navadol Laosiripojana, Director of the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, KMUTT, moderated the seminar. Esteemed national and international experts presented, including Ms. Mannlika Sompranon, Director of the Solar Energy Development Division; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Janulak Khanobdee, Agricultural Technology Research Institute, RMUTL; Asst. Prof. Somkiat Tanta, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Technology, RMUTL Lampang; Asst. Prof. Dr. Usa Boonbumrung, Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute (PDTI), KMUTT; Dr. Kalyanee Paithoonrangsarid, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, NSTDA, PDTI, KMUTT; Dr. Matthias Meier, Institute for Plant Sciences IBG-2, Jülich, Germany; Dr. Kobkul Sriprabha, National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, NSTDA; Mr. Thitiwut Phongthanaphisal; and Ms. Kanchana Prakobphol, PDTI, KMUTT.
Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Dr. Boonyapat Subhapanich, Director of the Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, KMUTT, along with the KMUTT Bangkhuntien team, welcomed the participants and guided them on a tour of the Agri-PV system prototype, pilot plant, demonstration plots, energy research, algae cultivation, and research ready for technology transfer. This included technologies such as Agri-PV with algae cultivation, CO2 recycling technology for precision agriculture yield enhancement, intelligent EMS technology for solar systems with batteries in Agri-PV, and exhibition booths showcasing microbial production technology in fermenters and microbial utilization, algae-based product development, technology for adding value to agricultural waste biomass (lignin and biochar production and utilization), and biodiversity for health product development at KMUTT Bangkhuntien, Bangkok.
