Data as of 29 October 2026 · compiled by Prakanthai.com
Your home's electricity bill runs to THB 3,000–4,000 a month, and the news that the government will help with THB 50,000 towards solar panels makes you want to sign up. But some questions are left hanging. Does your home meet the criteria? How much would you still have to pay yourself? And if a storm or lightning damages the panels, who pays?
In short: what is the THB 50,000 solar subsidy and who is eligible?
In short: The People's Solar programme subsidises THB 50,000 per household towards installing solar panels, for 1 million places in total. It is for Thai nationals who own a residential electricity meter (Type 1) and install a 5–10 kWp system through an installer registered with the electricity authorities. The standard package costs THB 140,000; after the government's contribution is deducted, you pay from THB 90,000 yourself. Registration is open from 27 October 2026 to 31 January 2027.
What does the People's Solar programme offer?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Subsidy | THB 50,000 per household, once per applicant for the whole programme |
| Number of places | Up to 1,000,000 applicants, or until the budget runs out |
| System size | 5–10 kWp per meter, and it must include panels and an inverter |
| Standard package price | THB 140,000 (you can choose better equipment, but you pay the difference yourself) |
| Selling surplus electricity | THB 2.20 per unit, 20-year contract |
| State bank loans | Interest of 2.5% per year, repaid over 7 years |
Who can register, and where?
- Be an individual of Thai nationality
- Be a Type 1 residential electricity user (check your electricity bill: the type column starts with the number 1), excluding temporary meters and condominiums
- The applicant's name must match the name of the meter owner; if it does not, change the electricity account holder's name at the electricity authority first
- Install only through the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) or an installer registered with the electricity authorities
Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan register at peoplesolar.mea.or.th (enquiries: 1130)
Other provinces register at peoplesolar.pea.co.th (enquiries: 1129)
How much will you actually pay to install?
A worked example for the standard package with a loan from the Government Housing Bank (GHB)
- Package price 140,000 − government contribution 50,000 = THB 90,000 for you to pay
- GHB lends up to THB 90,000 for this part, at 2.5% interest over 7 years, with repayments of about THB 1,200 per month
- Total repayments come to about THB 98,136, which means total interest of about 98,136 − 90,000 = THB 8,136
Actual amounts depend on the system size, the equipment you choose, the installer's price and the bank that approves the loan
| Bank | Limit | Key terms |
|---|---|---|
| Government Savings Bank (GSB) | Up to THB 140,000 (including the government's contribution) | No collateral needed; no principal or interest payments for 6 months on the portion awaiting the government's money |
| Government Housing Bank (GHB) | Up to THB 90,000 (excluding the government's contribution) | Total debt payments up to 70% of income |
| Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) | Up to THB 140,000 (including the government's contribution) | For farmer customers; the solar system serves as collateral |
All three banks charge interest of 2.5% per year and require the contract to be signed by 31 August 2027 at the latest. GHB and GSB first deduct the income from selling electricity to repay the principal, and return the remainder to the homeowner.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance gave the example of a home with a THB 4,000 monthly electricity bill that installs a 5 kW system and uses 40% of its power in the daytime. It would save about THB 1,100 and could sell the remaining electricity for about THB 700 more. The electricity bill would then be about THB 2,200, plus repayments of about THB 1,100, so the total paid each month would be about THB 3,300, which is about THB 700 less than before.
A simple rule: the value comes more from electricity you use yourself in the daytime than from electricity you sell back, because the rate you pay the electricity authority is higher than the buy-back price of THB 2.20 per unit.
Which homes suit this programme?
- Homes where someone is in during the day and runs the air conditioning or uses a lot of electricity
- Homes with an average electricity bill of THB 3,000–4,000 a month or more
- Homes with a roof that gets plenty of sun and is strong enough to carry the weight of the panels
- People who do not have a lump sum and want to pay in instalments through a state bank at a fixed 2.5% interest rate
Who should not rush to register?
- People planning to claim the THB 200,000 solar tax deduction, because it cannot be combined with the THB 50,000 subsidy; you have to choose one or the other. If you are in a high tax bracket, work out first which route gives you more.
- State welfare cardholders who get a THB 315 per month electricity discount, because they would have to give up that benefit for 20 years from the date the system is connected
- People who live in a condominium or use a temporary meter do not qualify
- People whose name is not on the electricity bill and who cannot yet change the account holder's name
- Homes that use very little electricity in the daytime: most of the power would be sold back at THB 2.20, so the system pays for itself more slowly than in the example above
What limits should you check before you decide?
- The THB 50,000 is paid after the system is successfully connected, not when you register. You must apply for connection by 31 August 2027 and be successfully connected by 30 September 2027. If the installer is late and misses the deadline, you may lose your entitlement.
- The tax invoice must be dated 27 October 2026 or later: systems installed before then do not count
- You pay for anything above the package price: some media estimate that a qualifying system costs about THB 160,000–200,000, and the part above THB 140,000 gets no extra subsidy
- You cannot change the electricity account number (CA) afterwards: you have to cancel your original entitlement before using it, then register again
- There are hidden costs too, such as panel cleaning, repairs and the lifespan of the inverter. Read the installer's warranty terms in full before you sign
Does home insurance still cover you once you have installed panels?
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance said that during the 7-year repayment period a warranty and panel cleaning will be provided, but an installer's warranty and insurance are two different things. Check the contract to see exactly which events the warranty covers.
For events such as fire, lightning, storms or theft, homeowners who already have fire insurance should do three things:
- Tell your insurer that you have installed a solar system
- Check whether your current sum insured already includes the value of the newly installed system
- Check which natural perils the policy covers and whether there is an excess
Underwriting and claim payments are decided by the insurer, not by the broker.
Want us to check your home insurance before you install panels?
Send us just two things
- The schedule page of your current home insurance policy (if you have one)
- The solar installation quote showing the system size in kW and the price
Our team will summarise what should be changed on your current policy, and send you a written home insurance quote within a business day. If a plan is good value, we will tell you straight. If the conditions differ, we will explain the differences before you pay.
LINE Official: @prakanthai · Tel. +66 2 459 2223
Frequently asked questions
If I installed solar before 27 October 2026, can I apply for the THB 50,000 retroactively?
No. The tax invoice must be dated on or after the day registration opened, and your existing system does not count. But if you install a new additional system of 5–10 kWp, you can still apply.
If I have already used the THB 200,000 solar tax deduction, can I still apply?
No, the two cannot be combined. Anyone applying for the subsidy must not claim the deduction under Royal Decree No. 805, whether in whole or in part.
If I have two houses, can I get two entitlements?
No. The entitlement is once per applicant for the whole programme, counting registrations with MEA and PEA together.
If I do not have a lump sum, do I have to pay upfront first?
You can borrow. GSB and BAAC lend the full standard price, including the portion the government contributes, and the subsidy is then used to pay down the debt later. GHB lends only the remainder after the government's contribution is deducted.
If I sell electricity back, does the money go straight into my account?
If you borrow from GHB or GSB, the bank first deducts the income from selling electricity to repay the principal, and only the remainder is returned to the homeowner.
Can I choose my own installer?
Yes, as long as it is MEA, PEA or an installer registered with the electricity authorities. There are currently about 400 installers in the system.
Notes
The information in this article is compiled from announcements by the Ministry of Finance, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, the Provincial Electricity Authority and state banks, as published in the media between 26 and 28 October 2026, and is current as at 29 October 2026. Programme conditions may change, so check the electricity authorities' websites before you register. This is general information and not part of the insurance contract. Prakanthai.com is a non-life insurance broker, not an insurer, licence no. 5104000004. Please read the policy in full before deciding to buy or change your cover.
