As we struggle with the insight of the inevitable depletion of the World’s Natural Resources, we are faced with the responsibility of educating ourselves with alternative means to continue with our expectations of daily life. Mr. Claude Feller has recognized the global warnings, utilized the options on hand, stepped into our homes and changed not only a light bulb but also the way that we think, initiating the transformation by simply auditing our energy consumption.

By Glenn R. Wallis

Climate change has become one of the most important issues facing the world today, and energy production from fossil fuels has been a significant contributor to this problem. Around our planet, the search for options and alternatives to ease the debilitating impact that our daily way of life imposes on our environment has become a passion for many. The way in which we use our resources has become scrutinized by both scientists and school children alike, as the era of recognition and responsibility take centre stage in the hopes for our future.

There is no doubt that a transformation is required if we wish to continue with the progress that we are currently making towards becoming a greener planet. We could also selfishly go so far as to state that if we are conscious enough to understand that power does equal money, then we are going to need to save a little somehow, as the natural resources thin to a frightening level, and their costs soar to unimaginable heights. The question that remains as to the solution to our dilemma is ‘How?’

Over the duration of our conquests to find solutions and new choices, we have mastered many fantastic achievements. We have harnessed the power of the wind, wound turbines with the waters that flow freely from our mountains, and utilized dynamic substitutes to power the vehicles to continue our human race. The greatest resource all the while has been staring down at us since the beginning of time, and while shading ourselves from the intensity of the gaseous ball of fire in the sky, all the lights of ingenuity suddenly turned on. Solar Power was conceived and began its incarnation into o predicament.

The Solar Scientist
When it comes to the industry of Solar Power, and Energy Efficiency, there is no greater expert than Mr. Claude Feller. His company Samui Service Solar Power is an Engineering Company based out of Nathon, on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand, providing a list of extensive services to the public and commercial sector, hosted by the Laos based, award-winning entrepreneurs Sunlabob.

Koh Samui has been privileged to know Claude for quite some time, and curious islanders have sat for many evenings on neighbouring sundecks, watching him in his back garden area tinkering around with an assortment of solar saving instruments, water collection devices heated by solar power, and energy efficient lighting sources. All the while silently debating his sanity.

In the infancy of Samui’s neighbourly friendship with Claude, spectators were continually amused by the meanderings of this German eccentric. Often muttering to himself, and standing back admiring his workmanship with a smouldering cigarette hanging from his lips, Claude would be so engaged with his creations that he would not notice his entertained observers. There was even an international photographer who sat nearby with camera in hand, oblivious to Claude, collecting photos of what he has nostalgically named ‘A Sun-stroke of Genius’, as Claude’s work laboured long into the afternoon sun, with the heat of the day charging his solar batteries while simultaneously melting his brainstem.

Energy Salvation
For more than a year Samuians witnessed the evening skies lit up with fantastic light shows, emanating from the Frankenstein-like atmosphere of a deceptively sane scientist who kept politely to himself, completely enchanted by his work.

Only when the neighbourhood saw the solar shower being put to use by the fully clothed Feller, did anyone decide to inquire as to the goings on.

“I’m what you’d call an Energy Auditor. I am a consultant for people and businesses that have come into a situation where energy efficiency is either a choice of process, or an absolute necessity due to circumstances.”

If you speak with Claude regarding his work, you will not only come to a new discovery of what exactly it is that he does, but to the environmental damage control that his work encompasses. You will also find that Claude has been independently ‘eco-driven’ to begin his rehabilitation of the environment on a continent that is still in its infancy of conservation.

Claude had worked his entire past 15-year career in one job in Germany, as a Civil Engineer focused on water and conservation. At 42 years of age, Claude switched directions in his life’s journey, and began to independently research and educate himself on what he believes will be the future of energy in Asia, Solar Power. His move to the salvation of the environment has proven to not only have been a lucrative one, but also a transition that he is proud to have taken.

Now, a mere 2 years later, Claude is sought after for not only the products that he and his company install, maintain and supply, but for his vast knowledge of energy efficiency and reduction in power consumption diversities. This Energy Auditor has saved many people from losing their businesses, and countless tourist based industries from experiencing disastrous electrical billings during a season when travel has dissolved due to world economic crises.

“My goal is to help hotels, and others, not only to save energy, but become more aware of the ways to keep our island green.”

Solar Solutions
Claude explains that there are two vital steps that he advises people on. The first step is the need to conserve power and utilise power saving devices into their homes, resorts and establishments. The move to a complete Solar Power system is unfortunately not an inexpensive procedure, and this first step will make the transition a little more affordable, particularly if the process is accomplished over time. And then there are other circumstances that can put a homeowner or business entrepreneur into a position that makes this move a necessity.

Claude is currently working on a 10 Million Baht project in Phuket, where a private Villa owner has run into what would be classified as catastrophic circumstances. A roadway cannot be constructed to this Villa site, as a matter of fact it has been completely erased from the land documents, and there is no hope for power without paying an exorbitant amount of money to have it installed. This homeowner has been forced to build his Villa completely via boat, bringing every supply, down to the very bricks for construction, around the island to his location. A helicopter will be purchased for travel, and Claude has been hired for resolving the issues of power. This is a situation where every watt counts and the genius of solar devices is necessary to be integrated into every other power solution possible.

Claude will not only integrate Solar Power saving devices into the home, but will also include a solar powered water distribution system, from the deep well to the last booster pump. The whole Villa, with the exception of A/C will be Solar Powered, and this will have a generator if needed.

A Brightly Run Future
The second step to customizing your dwelling is to complete the process by moving to a solar powered environment either in unison with your power systems, or solely on its own. With either choice, the diversification that Claude and Samui Service Solar Power offer brings a long-term investment into its full potential. The savings on the environment benefit not only those who require the efficiency monetarily, but as a global movement towards green keeping and promoting an ecologically sound future.

“The amount of sunshine that is available in Southern Asia doubles that which is prominent in European countries, thus making the move to solar solutions in Asia a simple no-brainer.”

The tinkering and ramblings of a somewhat ‘Mad-Scientist’ have finally revealed themselves as an occupation of not only good will, but of a fantastic move to enhance our future. Solar panels and the ‘Solar Solution’ is not a new idea, however the idealism of Claude and his partners at Sunlabob, and his continuing close work with Sterling Sustain, will allow us all to see a future that is run very bright, on a much lower consumption of our natural resources than imagined.