As Thailand intensifies its commitment to renewable energy, the country’s solar panel imports have seen a dramatic increase, largely driven by strategic partnerships with China. In the first seven months of 2026, Thailand imported $426.7 million worth of solar panels, marking an 88.7% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, China accounted for a staggering 99.3% of these imports, according to data from Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department.
The surge in imports from China, which reached $423.9 million and represented a 107.1% jump from the same period last year, highlights the growing collaboration between the two countries in the solar energy sector. While Singapore and Hong Kong also contributed to Thailand’s solar panel imports, their shares were minimal, each accounting for approximately 0.3% of the total import value.
This increase in solar panel imports comes as Thailand prepares to launch a comprehensive household solar installation program. The initiative aims to subsidize solar installations with incentives of around THB50,000 per household, initially targeting one million homes with potential expansion to 1.5 million households. The program is part of a broader effort to reduce electricity costs and stimulate the domestic clean-energy industry.
In addition to boosting imports, the Thai government is exploring measures to fortify its domestic solar manufacturing capabilities. Collaborations with the Ministry of Labour are underway to develop training programs for workers in solar panel assembly, installation, and maintenance. Furthermore, discussions with the Board of Investment are focusing on reducing duties on essential production inputs that are not domestically available.
Through these efforts, Thailand hopes to encourage the widespread adoption of rooftop and ground-mounted solar installations. By fostering a robust clean-energy supply chain, the nation aims to enhance its energy independence and sustainability, paving the way for a greener future.