Yes. In 2026, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) does buy back excess solar power in rural Isaan and the rest of Thailand โ but there are important limitations and the economics are very different from โtrue net metering.โ
The Short Answer
YES โ but:
- It is net billing, not full net metering
- PEA currently pays about:
- 2.20 THB per kWh
- You buy electricity from PEA at roughly:
- 4โ5+ THB per kWh
So:
- Using your own solar power directly is MUCH more valuable
- Selling excess power back to PEA is relatively low-profit
Thailandโs current residential solar buyback system is officially active in 2026 under the โSolar for the Peopleโ / โSolar Prachachonโ program.
How It Works in Rural Isaan
Because Isaan is outside Bangkok metro, your utility is:
- Provincial Electricity Authority
not MEA.
PEA covers essentially all rural provinces including:
- Nakhon Ratchasima
- Buriram
- Surin
- Udon Thani
- Khon Kaen
- Ubon Ratchathani
- etc.
Current 2026 Buyback Rules
| Item | 2026 Rules |
|---|---|
| Utility | PEA |
| System type | Grid-tied rooftop solar |
| Residential eligibility | Yes |
| Buyback rate | ~2.20 THB/kWh |
| Contract length | 10 years |
| System size | Usually up to 5โ10 kW residential |
| Meter required | Bidirectional meter |
| Program type | Net billing |
| Batteries required? | No |
VERY Important: Thailand Uses โNet Billingโ
This is the key thing many people misunderstand.
Thailand does NOT generally use true net metering.
Example:
If:
- you export 100 kWh to PEA
- later consume 100 kWh from PEA
You do NOT get a 1:1 offset.
Instead:
- PEA buys your power cheap (~2.20 THB)
- then sells power back expensive (~4โ5+ THB)
That difference is why:
Self-consumption is King in Thailand.
Best Solar Strategy in Rural Isaan
For most homes in Isaan, the best ROI is usually:
DAYTIME SELF-CONSUMPTION
Run during sunshine:
- air conditioning
- pumps
- refrigerators
- freezers
- restaurants
- washing machines
- water filtration
- businesses
This avoids paying PEA retail rates.
That is MUCH more profitable than exporting electricity.
Real-World Example
Example 5 kW System
A typical 5 kW system in Isaan may generate:
- 600โ750 kWh/month
If you self-use:
- 70%
and export:
- 30%
the economics are much better than exporting most of the production.
Thailand solar experts repeatedly emphasize that systems should be sized around daytime usage, not maximum export.
Typical 2026 Solar Costs in Thailand
7
| System | Approx Installed Cost |
|---|---|
| 3 kW grid-tie | เธฟ90kโ160k |
| 5 kW grid-tie | เธฟ160kโ280k |
| 10 kW hybrid | เธฟ350kโ700k |
| Battery add-on | +เธฟ80kโ300k |
Costs vary massively by:
- inverter brand
- battery size
- roof complexity
- installer quality
- export approval paperwork
Important Technical Requirements
To sell power back to PEA you usually need:
1. Approved Grid-Tie Inverter
PEA may reject:
- cheap non-certified inverters
- uncertified Chinese imports
2. Bidirectional Meter
PEA replaces your normal meter with:
- import/export capable meter
3. PEA Approval
You normally need:
- application
- electrical drawings
- installer certification
- inspection
4. Anti-Islanding Protection
The inverter must shut down during outages for line-worker safety.
Biggest Reality in Rural Isaan
Grid outages matter.
In many rural Isaan areas:
- voltage fluctuations
- brownouts
- outages
still happen.
Important:
Most standard grid-tie systems:
STOP WORKING during blackouts.
Even if the sun is shining.
That surprises many homeowners.
Hybrid Systems Are Becoming Popular
Because of rural outages, many Isaan homeowners are now choosing:
Hybrid Systems
These combine:
- solar panels
- batteries
- PEA grid connection
Benefits:
- backup during outages
- nighttime storage
- reduced PEA usage
- optional export to grid
Is Selling Back Worth It?
Usually:
โNice bonus โ not primary profit source.โ
The REAL savings come from:
- avoiding daytime PEA usage
Not from becoming a โpower producer.โ
Most experienced Thailand solar owners say designing for self-use gives the best ROI.
Important 2026 Changes
Thailand expanded the residential solar buyback program significantly in 2026:
- national quota increased
- additional buyback rounds expected
- residential rooftop solar strongly encouraged
The new national target is reportedly:
- 500 MW buyback capacity
Bottom-Line Recommendation for Rural Isaan
BEST setup for most rural homes/businesses:
Hybrid solar system with:
- good daytime self-consumption
- modest battery bank
- optional PEA export
That gives:
- best ROI
- blackout protection
- reduced electric bills
- future flexibility if buyback improves later
Exporting large amounts solely for profit usually does NOT make financial sense at current Thai buyback rates.