Thailand Expands Public Solar Power Scheme to 10GW

Thailand will double the capacity of its public solar power scheme to 10GW, up from the previously planned 5GW, as the government seeks to accelerate clean energy production and consumption among households.

Government spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana said the expansion was approved by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas and will cover approximately 1 million households.

The expanded programme will support multiple solar installation formats, including rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar systems.

Under the scheme, participating households will be able to use the electricity generated by their solar installations and sell surplus power to the grid at a rate of 2.20 baht per kilowatt-hour. The maximum generation capacity is capped at 5kW per metre, according to the government.

The programme is scheduled to begin in mid-October. Earlier in September, Energy Minister Akanat Promphan had announced the programme with an initial target of 5GW of rooftop solar capacity.

The expansion to 10GW represents a significant increase in the planned scale of Thailand’s household-focused solar programme and is intended to encourage wider adoption of distributed renewable energy.