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Thailand aims to streamline rooftop solar with new legislation. (Photo: iStock)
The Thai government plans to roll out a new bill to promote the adoption of rooftop solar systems among households. By simplifying procedures and reducing costs, the bill aims to increase public willingness to install rooftop solar. However, some industry stakeholders have raised concerns that the new law may grant excessive authority to the Minister of Energy.
Government pushes rooftop solar to households
To boost incentives for rooftop solar adoption, Thailand’s Ministry of Energy is drafting legislation to streamline the lengthy and complicated approval process.
Government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan stated that, at present, installing a rooftop solar system requires approval from five separate government agencies. The new law aims to cut installation costs and improve adoption rates.
According to the Energy Ministry, the proposed legislation includes five major reforms:
- Switching from Permits to Notifications: The current permit requirement will be replaced with a notification-based approach to accelerate installation. Government agencies will have no authority to retroactively revoke previously granted approvals.
- Offering Tax Incentives and Low-Interest Loans: The bill includes financial support measures such as tax benefits and accessible financing options to encourage participation.
- Establishing a One-Stop Service Center: A centralized hub will be created to provide consultation and support services for both public agencies and private businesses.
- Introducing National Safety and Installation Standards: A unified safety code will be introduced to ensure the quality and reliability of installations across the country.
- Legislating at the Central Administrative Level: The law will be enacted at the national level to ensure that every citizen has the right to generate and use clean energy at home.
Sasikarn emphasized that solar energy is no longer a distant option, but one that every citizen should be able to benefit from. Broader access to solar power, she said, would lower electricity bills, enhance household stability, and support sustainable grassroots economic development.
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Rooftop solar panels of Thai home in Bangkok. (Photo: iStock)
Concerns rise over centralized energy oversight
Despite its ambitious goals, the bill has received mixed reactions. Some solar industry players argue that the draft contains loopholes. Treerat Sirichantaropas, CEO of New Energy Plus Solutions (NEPS), wrote on social media platform X that the bill gives excessive power to the Minister of Energy.
Under the proposed framework, the minister would be responsible for determining regulations, approved technologies, regulatory agencies, power purchase pricing, and eligible buyers—raising concerns about the potential for abuse of authority.
Founded in 2011, NEPS is a Thai solar developer and the exclusive distributor of solar panels from Shanghai-based Jinko Solar. Treerat previously served as deputy secretary-general of the Thai Sang Thai Party.
On the other hand, Dusit Kruangam, chairman of the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association (TPIA), believes the bill does not centralize all control in the Energy Ministry. He pointed out that the law does not yet specify detailed installation procedures and still involves multiple agencies in the approval process, preventing any one entity from having full control.
Dusit added that while the draft lacks clarity in its operational guidelines, it is nonetheless a step in the right direction. He welcomed the bill’s aim to lower entry barriers, especially at a time when small and medium-sized enterprises are looking to reduce electricity costs amid a sluggish economy.
According to the Energy Ministry, the public consultation period for the draft bill concluded at the end of May. The finalized version is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet in June, with parliamentary review scheduled for July.
Source: Bangkok Post, The Nation, NEPS
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