Bangkok: The government is taking significant steps to encourage the adoption of rooftop solar panels by offering a tax deduction of up to 200,000 baht. This initiative aims to lower electricity costs and motivate Thai citizens to generate their own electricity.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced during the program 'Singing from the Heart of Thai Couples' that the government is actively working to alleviate electricity costs and enhance national energy security. They have introduced two pivotal tax measures to incentivize both businesses and the public to conserve energy and shift towards renewable energy sources.
The first measure encourages businesses and individuals to upgrade equipment, machinery, or materials for energy efficiency, offering tax benefits of 1.5 times the actual cost. This initiative is designed to reduce long-term expenses across factories, shops, and homes.
The second measure provides support for individuals to install solar rooftops, allowing installation costs to be deducted from personal income tax, up to a limit of 200,000 baht. This measure presents a crucial opportunity for reducing electricity costs in the long run while making clean energy more accessible to Thai citizens at a reasonable price.
These measures are anticipated to significantly lower electricity consumption in Thailand by over 30 billion units annually, equating to the electricity usage of millions of homes. Additionally, they are expected to cut down LNG imports, a primary cost in electricity production, saving more than 110 billion baht per year. Importantly, these initiatives will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 15 million tons annually, akin to planting a vast forest, thereby benefiting the public, the environment, and the economy holistically.
The government is poised to advance a draft bill promoting solar power usage promptly. Mr. Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, stated that the draft bill will be presented at a cabinet meeting within the next 1-2 weeks. This bill aims to establish a framework enabling every household to conveniently produce its own electricity, marking a significant stride in promoting clean energy in Thailand.
Moreover, there is a sense of national pride as Thai developers have successfully created in-country Inverters, crucial components of the solar cell system. Plans are underway to produce and market these at an affordable price, further reducing the cost of rooftop solar installations and making self-generated electricity accessible to all demographics.
Ms. Sasikarn concluded by affirming the government's commitment to implementing all measures to ease the cost of living, decrease reliance on imported energy, protect the environment, and foster robust and sustainable economic growth in Thailand.