Abstract:
Since 2011,Thailand faced heavily flooded disasters. Many people had no home or appropriate shelter.They had on public utilities such as water supply and electricity. Floating house prototype with the use of lightweight materials and insulation are introduced. The floating house can reduce external heat from outside. So inside air temperature would close to ambient environment but the residents still need utilities to live as normal. The home facilities needed are electric rice cooker, microwave, refrigerator, lighting, water pumps, and water supply. This study aimed to develop renewable sources of energy as solar power for floating house. Solar energy must take into account a range of variables. Direct use of electric power and save energy in batteries were explored. It brings the concept of combining the energy production exceeds daily needs and stored in batteries. During night time, electrical energy was used from battery system. The energy system was designed for up to three people with understanding energy reserves available due to customize living behaviors. The electrical power would calculate for only four hour peak daily. It was proved that the electrical energy generated by photovoltaic system is enough for normal living with four alternatives. First, in case of having only an hour sunlight, solar power would generate as one hour watts peak. It can be used for rice cooking, electrical pot for 2 hours, electrical hot pan for 1 hour or cooking oven for 10 minutes, water filter system for 2 hours, water pump for one hour, and charging mobile phone for 40 minutes. Then it can supply television for 2 hours or electric fan continuously for three hours. It provides light bulb in front of the building during the night and all light bulbs continuously for 8 to 9 hours. Second, in case of having 2 hours sunlight, solar power would generate as 2 hour watts peak. Residents can use all appliances longer as electric pot for 10 minutes, water filter system 1 hour more, 5-cubic refrigerator continuously for 5 hours, and air conditioning for 1 hour. Third, in case of having 3 hours sunlight, solar power would generate as 3 hour watts peak. Residents can use all appliances longer than the second case as microwave for 10 minutes more, electrical pot 10 minutes more, refrigerator for 9 hours continuously, water pump for 1 hour, and 2 to 4 hours air conditioning. Fourth, in case of having all day long sunlight, solar power would generate as 4 hour watts peak. Residents can use all appliances longer than the third case as increased water filter system for an hour more, refrigerator for 12 hours continuously, and air conditioning for 5 hours.