Govt to help make 100K inverters

Bangkok Post

2 days ago

The government will support the manufacturing of 100,000 solar inverters after a locally developed prototype passed national safety and efficiency tests, as part of a plan to reduce electricity costs and promote the use of clean energy, says deputy government spokeswoman Sasikarn Wattanachan.
Ms Sasikarn said on Thursday that Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga has been actively working to address high electricity prices while encouraging Thai innovation in the energy sector.
The development of a 5,000-watt on-grid solar inverter by Taweechai Kraiduang, an electrician from Sakon Nakhon province, was a key breakthrough, she said.
Despite not being formally trained as an engineer, Mr Taweechai successfully created a device capable of generating up to 5,000W of solar electricity, she said.
The prototype has passed critical safety, dust- and water-resistance and electromagnetic compatibility tests conducted by the National Science and Technology Development Agency, she said.
Following this success, the first production batch of 100,000 units is now underway, she said.
The government plans to offer these inverters at prices lower than imported models, making clean energy more affordable and accessible while supporting domestic innovation, she said.
To further promote renewable energy adoption, the government is preparing new legislation to ease solar rooftop installations, reduce market monopolies and improve transparency in the energy sector, she said.
"The government is committed to implementing energy policies that are transparent and sustainable, ensuring clean energy is accessible to all households," Ms Sasikarn said.
In addition to the inverter, Mr Taweechai has developed several other energy-related inventions, including a rubber and plastic distillation machine that produces benzene and diesel and a solar-powered, auto-rotating water pump, she said.
His innovations were formally recognised by the energy minister in January last year. Mr Pirapan praised Mr Taweechai's contributions and pledged government support to help scale these technologies across rural communities.