Last updated 10 Oct 2026 · Thai residential tariff, September 2026
Is solar worth it in Thailand? (2026)
For most homes paying 3,000 THB or more a month, yes. A 5 kW rooftop system costs about 99,900 to 189,000 THB installed (market median about 133,800 THB, from our survey of installer prices, Oct 2026) and cuts the bill by roughly 1,800 to 2,800 THB a month. That is a payback of about 4 to 6 years, or about 3 years if the home qualifies for the 50,000 THB government subsidy.
Prices for every system size, in Thai: ราคาติดตั้งโซล่าเซลล์บ้าน
How much can a 5 kW system save?
| Monthly bill | Saving, away in the day | Saving, home in the day | Payback before subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 THB | ~1,810 THB | ~2,490 THB | 4.5 to 6.2 years |
| 5,000 THB | ~2,130 THB | ~2,780 THB | 4.0 to 5.2 years |
| 10,000 THB | ~2,780 THB | ~2,780 THB | 4.0 years |
Based on the PEA/MEA tiered residential tariff (September 2026) plus Ft 0.1623 THB and 7% VAT, 115 kWh per kW per month, surplus sold at 2.20 THB/kWh (NEPC resolution of 18 Sep 2026), the market median of 133,800 THB for a 5 kW on-grid system (our survey of installer prices, Sep to Oct 2026), before any subsidy; a 50,000 THB subsidy would shorten payback by about 1.5 to 2.5 years. A preliminary estimate, not an engineering design.
What foreign homeowners should know
- Whose name is on the meter matters. The 50,000 THB subsidy is for 5 to 10 kW systems, one right per meter owner (registration is open until 31 Jan 2027 at peoplesolar.pea.co.th, or peoplesolar.mea.or.th for Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan; the installer must be on the utility's registered list; rooftop, ground-mounted and floating systems qualify, and the utility fits a free smart meter), and the grid connection is signed by the meter owner. If the meter is in your Thai spouse's name, they register.
- Tax deduction: up to 200,000 THB for Thai tax residents who file a return, for on-grid systems up to 10 kWp installed from 3 Mar 2026 to 31 Dec 2028. The installer must issue an e-Tax invoice in the meter owner's name. It cannot be combined with the 50,000 THB subsidy; choose one.
- Power cuts: a standard on-grid system switches off when the grid is down. If you want backup power, ask for a hybrid system with a battery.
- Renting? You need the owner's written consent before any installation.
How Ruangban helps
Ruangban sizes the system from your real electricity bill, shows the current market price range with its source, and gives you the 15-point checklist to ask any installer before you sign. Side-by-side quotes from vetted installers open province by province once enough installers have passed our document check; until then you can leave your email and we will tell you when your province opens. It is free for homeowners, and you choose the installer.
Questions in English? Email admin@ruangban.com