Thailand’s solar panel imports have seen a significant increase, rising 88.7% to $426.7 million in the first seven months of 2026, according to data from the country’s Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department. The overwhelming majority of these imports, accounting for 99.3%, originated from China, with Chinese imports alone surging by 107.1% to $423.9 million.
This sharp rise in solar panel imports aligns with Thailand’s strategic initiative to launch a household solar installation program. The government plans to offer subsidies of approximately THB50,000 per household, initially targeting one million homes with a potential expansion to 1.5 million. The program aims to boost solar installations on rooftops and the ground, thereby reducing household electricity costs and promoting a domestic clean-energy supply chain.
Aside from China, Singapore and Hong Kong were minor contributors to Thailand’s solar panel imports, each constituting about 0.3% of the total import value. While these regions play a smaller role, the data underscores China’s dominance in Thailand’s solar market.
In addition to increasing imports, the Thai government is exploring avenues to bolster domestic solar manufacturing. Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Labour are underway to provide workforce training in solar panel assembly, installation, and maintenance. Furthermore, discussions with the Board of Investment are focusing on reducing duties on production inputs not available domestically, which could further enhance local manufacturing capabilities.
By advancing both imports and domestic production, Thailand aims to establish a robust clean-energy infrastructure that supports sustainable energy practices and economic growth. These measures reflect Thailand’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy footprint and reducing reliance on imported electricity sources.