Solar power in Thailand is targeted to reach 6,000 MW by 2036.[2] In 2013 installed photovoltaic capacity nearly doubled and reached 704 MW by the end of the year.[3] At the end of 2015, with a total capacity of 2,500-2,800 MW, Thailand has more solar power capacity than all the rest of Southeast Asia combined.[2]
Thailand has great solar potential, especially the southern and northern parts of the northeastern region of Udon Thani Province and certain areas in the central region. Around 14.3% of the country has a daily solar exposure of around 19–20 MJ/m2/day, while another 50% of the country gains around 18–19 MJ/m2/day. In terms of solar potential, Thailand lags behind the US, but is ahead of Japan.[4]
The 84 MW Lopburi Solar Farm was completed in May 2013. German solar energy company Conergy signed a contract with Thailand's Siam Solar Energy to construct three solar plants of 10.5 MW each in addition to existing two solar plants that have been under construction since autumn 2012.[5]
In 2021, the world’s largest hybrid solar-hydropower project, the Sirindhorn floating solar farm, commenced operations.[6]
- ^ "Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI): Thailand". solargis. Retrieved 5 Mar 2015.
- ^ a b Jittapong, Khettiya (2015-07-12). "Thailand ignites solar power investment in Southeast Asia". Reuters. Reuters UK. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
- ^ Snapshot of Global PV 1992-2013 (PDF) (2nd ed.). International Energy Agency - Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme. 2014. p. 8. ISBN 978-3-906042-19-0. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 April 2014.
- ^ "Areas with solar power potential". Thailand Ministry of Energy, Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. Retrieved 5 Mar 2015.
- ^ "Thailand turns to solar power". Investvine.com. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
- ^ "Thailand starts operating massive floating solar panel project as pressure mounts on climate action". CNA. Retrieved 2021-11-02.