On July 1, 2026, Thailand's Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC / กกพ.) opened a new round of the household rooftop solar sell-back program ("โซลาร์ภาคประชาชน"). If you own a home in Phuket with solar already installed — or you're planning a system now — this is worth understanding before you decide how big to build it, because the quota is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who qualifies, and what does it pay?
- Residential electricity accounts only (PEA/MEA Type 1) — the meter must be in your name.
- You can sell excess power up to 5 kW per meter — not the size of your whole solar system, but the amount you're allowed to export.
- Buyback rate: ฿2.20 per kWh, locked in for a 10-year contract.
- National quota: 500 MW total, reviewed first-come, first-served until it's full.
A separate down-payment subsidy (reportedly ฿10,000 per household, targeting 400,000 households) has been discussed by the government but is not yet confirmed or active — treat it as a possible future benefit, not something to plan your budget around today.
How to apply
- Phuket and the rest of the country (outside Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan): apply through the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA / กฟภ.) website.
- Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan: apply through the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA / กฟน.) "My Energy" system.
- Applications are reviewed in the order received, not the order of installation — so submitting early matters even if your system isn't finished yet.
Why the 5 kW export cap matters for system design
The 5 kW figure is an export limit, not a design target. Most Phuket homes and pool villas benefit more from sizing a system to cover their own daytime usage first, then exporting only the leftover — because using your own power directly avoids buying it back at the much higher retail rate (see our related article on self-use vs. sell-back). A system sized purely to hit the 5 kW export cap, without matching your actual consumption pattern, can leave money on the table.
Thinking about applying for the sell-back program? We can help you size a system that covers your own usage first and takes full advantage of the export quota — before the 500 MW fills up. Book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 5 kW limit mean I can only install a 5 kW solar system?
No — it's the limit on how much excess power you're allowed to export and sell, not the size of your solar array. Many homes install a larger system to cover their own daytime usage, and only the leftover (up to 5 kW) is sold back.
What happens if the 500 MW quota fills up before I apply?
You would need to wait for a future round of the program to be announced, if one is opened. There is no guarantee of a specific timeline for a next round, so applying as early as possible is the safer approach if selling excess power is important to you.
Is the ฿2.20/kWh rate better than using the power myself?
Generally no — retail electricity currently costs around ฿3.95/kWh, so every unit you use yourself instead of exporting avoids paying that higher rate. The sell-back rate is best thought of as a way to monetize genuine leftover power, not a primary savings strategy.