Thailand solar panel import and manufacturing trends

Thailand experienced an 88.7% year-on-year surge in solar panel imports during the first seven months of 2026, reaching US$426.7 million. This increase follows a period of contraction in 2024 and 2025 and is largely driven by a government-backed household solar installation programme offering subsidies to approximately one million households.

Data shows China dominates these imports, accounting for 99.3% of the total value at US$423.9 million. In response to concerns regarding dependency on Chinese technology, the Thai Prime Minister’s Office clarified that import figures do not reflect the total share of solar panels used nationwide or the status of the domestic industry.

Officials emphasized that Thailand maintains a robust domestic production base, with 22 companies currently undertaking 32 investment projects. These operations cover the full production cycle—including wafers, cells, panels, and inverters—with a combined capacity exceeding 49,000 megawatt-peak per year and an annual utilization of approximately 26.68 billion baht in local raw materials.