Thailand has witnessed a significant increase in solar panel imports, with an 88.7% year-on-year rise to $426.7 million in the first seven months of 2026. According to data from Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department, this surge is primarily driven by Chinese imports, which account for 99.3% of the total.
Imports from China alone reached $423.9 million, marking a 107.1% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, Singapore and Hong Kong contributed minor shares, each representing approximately 0.3% of Thailand’s solar panel import value.
This spike in imports aligns with Thailand’s plans to launch a household solar installation program, which aims to provide subsidies of around THB50,000 per household. The initial scheme targets one million homes, with potential extension to 1.5 million, underscoring the country’s commitment to expanding solar energy infrastructure.
In tandem with these efforts, the Thai government is exploring ways to bolster domestic solar manufacturing. Collaboration with the Ministry of Labour is underway to train workers in solar panel assembly, installation, and maintenance. Additionally, discussions with the Board of Investment include strategies to reduce duties on production inputs unavailable domestically.
The overarching goal of these initiatives is to promote rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations, decrease household electricity expenses, and foster a sustainable domestic clean-energy supply chain. Through these measures, Thailand aims to enhance its renewable energy footprint while reducing reliance on imported energy solutions.