Solar Thermal Association (STA) Opens in Thailand

Solar Thermal Association (STA) was established in January 2008, aiming to raise public awareness and improve the quality of solar systems in Thailand.  The STA’s 19 current members are benefiting from the strength of being a recognized and united group in communication with the government. The Association has access to the government’s subsidy program which was announced in September 2008 and is currently in the first phase of its programme to subsidize 5,000 m2 of solar thermal system hybrid with waste heat recovery in commercial applications. With the subsidy, the solar systems’ payback time could be brought down to 2.85 years. In subsequent phases, the programme plans to subsidize 7,500 m2 in 2009, 10,000 m2 in 2010, and 17,500 m2 in 2011, with total subsidy to 40,000 m2 with a value of 261 million baht.

More than 80 representatives from both public and private sector participated in the STA’a launch ceremony held on 21 November 2008 in Chiang Rai. A series of comments and presentations from key stakeholders in the industry followed, including contributions from the Department of Alternative Energy and Efficiency (DEDE), Naresuan University and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).