United Thai Nation Party Reaffirms Confidence in “Solar Freedom Bill,” Including Provisions for Electronic Waste Management
- wratchayar
- May 8
- 2 min read
The United Thai Nation Party’s proposed “Solar Freedom Bill” is currently undergoing a public hearing process and is expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives for consideration by the end of May. The bill aims to simplify the installation process for on-grid solar systems by reducing approval requirements from five government agencies to a simple notification procedure accompanied by a certified engineering safety document. The initiative is intended to make clean energy more accessible to the public.
Dr. Atthawit Suwanpakdee, party-list MP and deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party, stated that simplifying the approval process could reduce residential solar installation costs by approximately 40,000–50,000 baht. This would lower financial burdens on households and shorten the return-on-investment period. He also emphasized that the government plans to push forward both the Solar Freedom Bill and credit bureau reform legislation in parallel to improve public access to affordable energy and easier financing.
Dr. Atthawit explained that the proposed legislation is currently open for feedback from all sectors before being placed on the parliamentary agenda later this month.
A key element of the bill is the reduction of bureaucratic procedures for household on-grid solar installations. Instead of requiring approvals from multiple authorities, homeowners would only need to submit installation details and a safety certification from a licensed engineer. The measure is expected to reduce both administrative delays and installation expenses.
If enacted, the law is expected to lower the cost of residential solar systems from the high hundred-thousand-baht range to the low hundred-thousand range, making solar energy adoption more financially feasible for the public.
In addition, the party has addressed concerns regarding industrial and electronic waste generated by the growth of clean energy technologies. The Solar Freedom Bill includes waste management provisions, while a separate Industrial Waste Management Bill covers waste generated during production, post-consumer products, electronic waste, and EV batteries.
Dr. Atthawit noted that the legislative approach integrates several important laws including the Factory Act, Hazardous Substances Act, and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) bill into a unified framework. The goal is to establish a comprehensive and efficient industrial waste management system covering the entire lifecycle, from production to disposal.
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