In a significant move to accelerate domestic solar adoption, the Thai government has announced plans to support the mass production of a locally developed solar inverter and introduce regulatory reforms to make rooftop solar systems more accessible and affordable for households.
Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Sasikarn Wattanachan, confirmed that the government will back the production of 100,000 units of a grid-tied solar inverter designed by Thaweechai Kraiduang, an electrician from Sakon Nakhon province. Despite lacking formal engineering credentials, Thaweechai developed the device through hands-on experience, and it has successfully passed national safety and efficiency assessments.
The inverter, which can generate up to 5,000 watts of electricity when connected to solar panels, will be targeted for low-consumption households. The government has set a system cost goal of 85,000 to 90,000 baht (approximately USD 2,621 to 2,775) per unit, aiming to make solar energy more affordable for average Thai consumers.
Sasikarn emphasized that the initiative reflects the government’s dual objective of empowering local innovation and promoting clean energy adoption. Thaweechai has also developed other energy-related innovations, including a distillation machine for producing benzene and diesel from rubber and plastic, and a solar-powered auto-rotating water pump.
In parallel with the production push, the government is working on legislative measures to simplify rooftop solar deployment, reduce market monopolies, and enhance transparency in the energy sector.
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga recently unveiled additional policy measures to encourage solar use. These include a shift from a permit-based to a notification-based approval process for rooftop solar installations and tax deductions of up to 200,000 baht (about USD 6,167) for adopters.
Pirapan also addressed public concerns over electricity pricing, pledging that tariffs will be capped at 3.99 baht per kilowatt-hour (USD 0.12) from September to December 2025. He noted that the government is actively pursuing reforms to improve transparency in power generation costs.
Currently, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) operates under power purchase agreements (PPAs) with private producers that are bound by confidentiality clauses. The government is now exploring legal reforms to make cost structures more transparent and ensure equitable practices in the electricity market.
The combined push for local innovation, rooftop solar incentives, and pricing transparency marks a strategic shift in Thailand’s clean energy policy, with the government aiming to expand solar accessibility while fostering public trust in the energy sector.
