Thailand’s solar panel imports have seen a significant increase in the first seven months of 2026, surging 88.7% from the previous year to reach a total value of US$426.7 million, as reported by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department. This growth is largely driven by imports from China, which accounted for an overwhelming 99.3% of the total, amounting to US$423.9 million, marking a 107.1% rise from the same period last year.
The surge in imports is closely tied to Thailand’s upcoming household solar installation program, which aims to provide subsidies of approximately THB50,000 per household. Initially targeting one million households, the program has the potential to expand to 1.5 million, reflecting the country’s commitment to enhancing its solar energy infrastructure.
In addition to boosting imports, the Thai government is taking steps to bolster domestic solar manufacturing. Efforts include collaboration with the Ministry of Labour to train workers in various aspects of solar technology, such as assembly, installation, and maintenance. Concurrently, discussions with the Board of Investment are underway to consider reducing duties on production inputs that are not available domestically, facilitating the growth of local manufacturing capabilities.
While China remains the dominant supplier of solar panels to Thailand, other regions like Singapore and Hong Kong contribute marginally, each accounting for about 0.3% of the total import value. This reliance on external sources underscores the importance of Thailand’s initiatives to develop a self-sustaining clean-energy supply chain, which is expected to lower household electricity costs and support broader environmental goals.