Sales of rooftop solar power to begin in Thailand
Deregulation approval expected next month
By Yuthana Praiwan
The Thai government will end the decade-long restriction on households and commercial buildings selling power generated by their solar rooftops to state utilities in the fourth quarter of the year.
Deregulation will open the door for detached houses, warehouses, factories and offices to sell their leftover capacity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).
The buying rate is being fixed at below 2.6 baht (US$0.08) per kilowatt-hour, according to the Energy Ministry.
At present, private actors are allowed to sell power to Egat through auctions under the small power producer (SPP) or very small power producer (VSPP) project.
Energy Minister Anantaporn Karnchanarat said the government is considering granting licences to residents and building owners.
The total capacity to be allowed, however, has yet to be finalised.