Solar energy policy changes in Germany and Thailand

In Germany, the federal government is planning a significant reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). The proposal aims to phase out fixed solar feed-in tariffs, which currently provide predictable income for homeowners selling excess electricity to the public grid. Under the new plan, operators would be encouraged to sell electricity directly on the market. For new systems with less than 25 kilowatts of capacity, a transitional fixed compensation of 5.2 cents per kilowatt-hour is proposed, but only for a three-year period ending in 2028. Existing installations are expected to retain their current subsidy conditions.

In Thailand, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has issued guidance for consumers planning to install rooftop solar systems. The MEA emphasizes that users must decide early whether they intend to use the electricity solely for self-consumption or sell the surplus back to the grid, as these models require different technical specifications and connection requirements. The authority recommends verifying that installers are registered on the official MEA list and ensuring that equipment, particularly inverters, matches the approved technical standards.