Thailand’s solar panel imports have experienced a dramatic increase of 88.7% in the first seven months of 2026, reaching a total value of $426.7 million, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department. China played a pivotal role in this surge, supplying 99.3% of the imports, which amounted to $423.9 million—a 107.1% rise from the same period last year.
This significant growth in solar panel imports comes as Thailand gears up for an ambitious household solar installation initiative. The program, which aims to subsidize around THB50,000 per household, initially targets one million households, with potential expansion plans to cover an additional 500,000 households. The initiative is part of Thailand’s broader strategy to promote renewable energy, reduce electricity costs, and foster a sustainable energy supply chain domestically.
To support the burgeoning solar industry, the Thai government is exploring measures to bolster local manufacturing capabilities. This includes collaborating with the Ministry of Labour to provide training in solar panel assembly, installation, and maintenance. Concurrently, discussions with the Board of Investment are underway to consider reducing duties on essential production inputs that are not available within the country.
While China remains the dominant supplier, Singapore and Hong Kong also contributed to Thailand’s solar panel imports, albeit at a much smaller scale, each accounting for approximately 0.3% of the total import value. This underscores China’s significant influence in Thailand’s renewable energy sector and highlights the country’s dependence on Chinese solar technology.
Thailand’s efforts to cultivate a domestic clean-energy supply chain through this initiative demonstrate a proactive approach to energy sustainability. By encouraging rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations, the government aims to mitigate household energy expenses while simultaneously advancing the country’s renewable energy infrastructure.