Thailand and China Boost Solar Ties to Cut Energy Costs

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Thailand and China Boost Solar Ties to Cut Energy Costs - Thailand Business News

The initiative seeks to accelerate solar energy adoption, diversify Thailand's energy sources, and lower electricity expenses for Thai citizens.

www.thailand-business-news.com

Thailand and China Boost Solar Ties to Cut Energy Costs​

June 5, 2025

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan traveled to China to strengthen clean energy collaboration, holding talks with six leading solar companies. The discussions emphasized adopting solar technology in Thailand to lower electricity costs.

Key Takeways​

• Deputy PM Pirapan Salirathavibhaga led a delegation to China (May 26-30) to bolster cooperation in clean and renewable energy, specifically focusing on solar technology and cost reduction.
• The delegation engaged with six leading Chinese solar companies specializing in panels, inverters, storage, and management systems to discuss potential collaborations in Thailand’s expanding solar market.
• The visit, supported by Chinese trade officials, aims to accelerate solar adoption, diversify energy sources, and lower electricity costs in Thailand, with positive interest from the companies to work on Thai projects.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga recently completed a China visit focused on bolstering clean and renewable energy cooperation, particularly in solar technology. Leading a delegation from May 26-30, Pirapan engaged with leading solar companies in Jiangsu province and Shanghai.

Discussions with firms like GoodWe, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar, Changzhou Almaden, JinkoSolar, and Sungrow explored technologies and collaborative opportunities within Thailand’s expanding solar market. The visit, supported by representatives from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, aimed to drive down electricity costs and expand access to sustainable energy solutions.

The initiative seeks to accelerate solar energy adoption, diversify Thailand’s energy sources, and lower electricity expenses for Thai citizens. All six companies voiced interest in collaborating on solar projects in line with Pirapan’s proposals, paving the way for affordable and efficient solar systems in Thailand. Further coordination is anticipated to translate discussions into tangible projects.

 

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China supplies 99.3% of Thailand’s surging solar panel imports

Thai solar panel imports rose 88.7% to US$426.7 million in January-July 2026, with China supplying 99.3%, ahead of a planned household subsidy.

www.nationthailand.com

Thai solar panel imports rose 88.7% to US$426.7 million in January-July 2026, with China supplying 99.3%, ahead of a planned household subsidy.​

Thailand’s solar panel imports rose 88.7% year on year to US$426.7 million, or approximately THB14,934 million, in the first seven months of 2026, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce and the Customs Department. The increase marked a strong recovery after import values contracted in both 2024 and 2025.

The growth comes as the government prepares a household solar installation programme offering subsidies of approximately THB50,000 per household, initially targeting one million households with a possible expansion to 1.5 million. Rising electricity costs linked to the war in the Middle East have also prompted households and businesses to install rooftop solar systems to reduce their electricity bills over the longer term.

China supplied almost all the solar panels imported by Thailand during January-July 2026. Imports from China totalled US$423.9 million, or approximately THB14,836.5 million, accounting for 99.3% of total import value and increasing 107.1% from the same period a year earlier.

Other suppliers accounted for only small shares. Imports from Singapore and Hong Kong were each valued at US$1.1 million, or THB38.5 million, representing approximately 0.3% of the total apiece.

China remained Thailand’s largest supplier throughout the five-year period from 2022 to 2026. In 2022, imports from China reached US$407.2 million, or THB14,252 million, out of total imports worth US$429.7 million. They then climbed to a record US$649.1 million, or THB22,718.5 million, in 2023, when Thailand’s total imports reached US$654.2 million.

Imports from China subsequently fell to US$422.3 million, or THB14,780.5 million, in 2024 and US$364.1 million, or THB12,743.5 million, in 2025. Total imports from all sources stood at US$388.9 million in 2025.