Energy Expert Questions Fairness of 1M-Household Solar Plan
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On October 30, 2026, energy economist and Energy Committee advisor Thirat Sirichantaropas posted on Facebook about the government's newly launched "Solar for People" project, which provides a maximum subsidy of 50,000 baht per household.
Although the policy targets clean energy promotion and lower electricity costs for the public, certain criteria have sparked industry concern — especially among solar-energy SMEs who fear the scheme favors big contractors and undermines fair competition.
A core issue is the requirement that installations be carried out through the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA), or contractors registered under their conditions. Yet these utilities also serve as installers, system inspectors, and grid-connection approvers, raising questions about the propriety of their dual role as regulator and market participant.
Moreover, the utilities lack enough solar installers to meet the one-million-household target, prompting worries that work will be subcontracted, adding middleman costs and preventing consumers from receiving the full price benefit.
Another criticised point is the bank guarantee requirement, both during construction and for several years after handover. While intended to protect consumers, in practice it burdens small operators with limited credit lines and working capital, giving large firms a further advantage.
If the government's goal is to give the public the fastest, cheapest access to clean energy, Thirat argues it should open the scheme to all qualified, standards-compliant operators on an equal footing — especially since equipment already falls under Thai Industrial Standards (TISI). The real question is not merely whether the project will increase solar installations, but whether its structure is designed to maximise public benefit and ensure fair competition for firms of every size.
Ultimately, if the aim is a clean-energy transition, consumers deserve fair prices, diverse choices, and a freely competitive market — not higher costs imposed by a structure that needlessly restricts competition.
