Clean energy for Thailand: Minister promotes solar water pump project!

Clean energy for Thailand: Minister promotes solar water pump project!

November 11, 2025 shows that Thailand is making progress towards the use of clean energy. Minister Attpol Rerkpiboon visited the community companies in different regions to promote the installation of solar water pumps. The aim is to support agriculture in Phitsanulok and promote the “Quick Big Win” initiative, which aims to enable farmers to work more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Solar energy is already being used successfully in community businesses such as Ban Haad Kai Toi, Uttaradit. Farmers there dry cashew nuts using solar ovens. This process not only significantly reduced fuel consumption, but also resulted in a saving of 0.59 kg of CO2 emissions per kilogram of cashew nuts produced. The products now proudly bear the “Energy Saving Community Product” symbol, which not only raises environmental awareness but could also boost community sales of an average of 2.5 million baht per year.

Sustainable agriculture through solar water pumps

Another important visit took place in Bung Ban Non, Phitsanulok, where the feasibility of solar water pumps was examined. There is a water reservoir here with an impressive volume of 330,000 m³, which can provide enough water for 270 rai (approx. 43 hectares) of agriculture. The expected annual benefit to agriculture would be nearly 1 million baht. In addition, over 15,000 liters of diesel per year could be saved, which corresponds to around 500,000 baht. These measures are fully in line with the ambition to achieve Thailand's goal of Net Zero by 2050.

Solar water pumps offer a promising solution to the challenges of modern agriculture. Compared to conventional pumps, they use little energy, require little maintenance and are environmentally friendly. They struggle with rising energy bills and the need to meet environmental regulations. Thanks to efficient technology, they are quiet, flexible and no longer require fossil fuels. This could be a solution for many farmers working in remote areas.

The advantages and future of solar pumps

The market for solar water pumps in Thailand is booming. More and more farmers and companies are recognizing the benefits. These pumps, which convert solar radiation into energy via photovoltaic panels, could be the answer to the increasing demand for reliable water supply systems. For example, an amortization of investment costs of 5-8 years is considered realistic, while operating costs are almost zero.

A market development survey shows the Thai government is promoting agricultural development and plans to expand irrigated area to 40 million baht. The Investment Promotion Board (BOI) even offers tax exemptions for the engineering industry to further promote the use of solar panel-powered pumps.

However, some challenges remain: the inconsistency of water delivery in low light conditions or high temperatures can affect the performance of the solar panels. However, selective solutions, such as solar panels with a conversion rate of 23% or more, could help overcome these hurdles. The quality of the solar modules is also important, as it is crucial for the efficiency of the pumps.

With the right investments and policies, Thailand could look forward to a promising future in sustainable agriculture. Ministry and the Electric Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) are working hand in hand to further advance these clean energy solutions and gradually reduce years of dependence on fossil fuels.