Concerns Raised Over Thailand's 'People's Solar' Initiative
Trirat Sirichantaropas has questioned the structure of the government's 'People's Solar' program, citing potential conflicts of interest and increased costs for households.
On October 30, 2026, Trirat Sirichantaropas, a member of the energy economic team and advisor to the House Committee on Energy, expressed concerns regarding the government's 'People's Solar' project. While the initiative aims to promote clean energy and reduce electricity bills with subsidies of up to 50,000 baht per household, critics argue the current framework may hinder fair competition.
A primary concern involves the role of state electricity authorities—the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). These entities act as installers, inspectors, and regulators, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, there are concerns that these authorities lack sufficient personnel to handle the target of one million households, potentially leading to subcontracting that could increase costs for consumers through intermediary fees.
Additionally, the requirement for long-term bank guarantees has been criticized as an excessive burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the solar sector. For residents, the program's success in delivering cost-effective energy remains to be seen, as the current structure may favor large operators over smaller ones. It remains to be confirmed how the government will address these transparency and operational concerns to ensure the program effectively benefits the public without inflating installation costs.
