China enters emerging Thai solar market

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Thailand's abundant sunshine is no longer only for sea-bathing tourists, but also for businesses looking to harness natural resources. Chinese company Talesun Solar Technologies has entered the Thai solar energy market.

Rooftop solar panels at Talesun Technologies Thailand plant /CGTN Photo

Talesun began operating in Thailand in 2015. The company has an industry-leading 21.5 percent solar cell efficiency. /CGTN Photo

Many solar companies are setting up plants in Rayong Industrial Park, a good two-hour drive away from Bangkok.

The Park’s director Zhao Bin said the Chinese presence will diversify the Thai market. Their technologies will upgrade the overall Thai solar sector, which is only emerging with the country’s shift from relying on imported energy to more green and renewable development. Producing in Thailand also allows Chinese companies easier access to ASEAN and other international markets.

Royong Industrial Park is home to Talesun Technologies and Trina Solar among other Chinese solar companies. /CGTN Photo

Producing in Thailand gives Chinese companies easier access to international markets. /CGTN Photo

Thailand's been luring investment with tariff breaks, labor and land to its emerging solar sector. Trina Solar, another company in Rayong Industrial Park, is producing 10 percent of Thailand’s total production capacity, and has created 1,200 jobs locally. The company’s tech director Gao Chuanlou said they want to expand capacity across the PV value chain in the near future.

Chinese solar panel makers are seeing a bright future in Thailand, as the Southeast Asian country looks to renewable energy sources. Companies like Trina Solar and Talesun are meeting the growing demand by tapping into the supportive policies.