Thailand is preparing to accelerate residential rooftop solar deployment by registering qualified installers, service providers and PV equipment ahead of a government-backed program targeting 500,000 households.
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) have opened registration for solar vendors and equipment suppliers. Applications will remain open until September 30, with installers and equipment required to meet prescribed safety and quality standards, including relevant IEC and Thai Industrial Standards.
The registration drive is part of broader government preparations to expand rooftop solar for households. Thailand has also been working to simplify access to residential solar, allowing homeowners to generate electricity for their own use and sell surplus power to the grid.
The authorities say registered operators, engineers and installers must demonstrate their ability to deliver safe, efficient systems with a service life of at least 20 years. MEA and PEA will oversee installation and after-sales service standards.
The move follows concerns over substandard solar installations. Thailand’s consumer protection authorities recently investigated reports of faulty solar equipment, including melting and burning incidents, highlighting the need for stricter quality control.
Thailand’s rooftop solar expansion comes as the country seeks to reduce electricity costs, increase clean-energy use and strengthen long-term energy security. PEA itself has already installed hundreds of rooftop PV systems across its facilities as part of its wider clean-energy program.
