Government Launches Solar Subsidy for One Million Households

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira advances the public solar project targeting one million households, with the state subsidizing 50,000 baht per installation. Three state banks — Government Housing Bank, Government Savings Bank, and Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives — will offer special low-interest loans at around 2.5% annually. The scheme aims to cut electricity bills, let households generate their own power and sell surplus back to the grid, and requires contractors to post a 50,000 baht performance bond to protect consumers and ensure installation standards.

Pichai explained that global challenges — including Middle East conflict and rising living costs — combined with Thailand's power generation still relying on natural gas for about 60%, mean higher imported energy prices hit household costs and cause capital outflows. The government is therefore pushing the public solar project with a one-million-household target, subsidizing 50,000 baht per household. For additional costs, the three state financial institutions will provide special low-interest loans at roughly 2.5% per year.

The project also shifts households from energy consumers to producers, reducing home electricity bills and allowing them to sell excess power back to the system for extra income.

Pichai added that to protect the public and build confidence in household solar installations — and prevent contractors abandoning jobs or using substandard equipment — every public solar installer must post a 50,000 baht guarantee bond. The three specialized state banks will charge a concessionary guarantee fee not exceeding 1% per year; for a 50,000 baht bond, the fee would be just 500 baht annually.