Korn urges the government to review the People's Solar Project, fearing the 50,000 baht deposit and 7-year work guarantee conditions exclude small operators, open the door to kickbacks, and calls for fair opportunity distribution to all participants.
On 29 October 2026, Korn Jatikavanich, a party-list MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, held a press conference on the 2026 People's Solar Project aiming to install solar panels on 1 million households. He called on the government to reconsider the participation conditions, noting several requirements may hinder small operators and raise concerns about potential kickbacks between large and small businesses.
Korn said the People's Solar Project is a good policy that, if successful, will help citizens access rooftop solar installation and transition from fuel-based electricity to sunlight energy, which has no fuel cost. However, the Democrat Party is concerned about the project's details and conditions, especially regarding opportunities for small operators to participate.
He noted there are thousands of registered solar installation businesses, but recent government conditions prevent some operators from joining the project. He proposed the government review four key criteria.
First, to ensure small operators can participate widely, as this is a nationwide project funded by loans that impact all citizens; thus, benefits should be fairly distributed across the industry and not limited to a few large operators.
Second, the 50,000 baht deposit per household is a heavy financial burden for small operators, especially in raising cash or guarantees, and the refund may take 3-6 months or longer, causing cash flow issues that prevent their participation.
Third, the requirement to guarantee work for 7 years—longer than the industry's usual 2-3 years—and the obligation to purchase fire insurance for homeowners during that period increase costs for operators.
Fourth, the goal to install solar panels on 1 million households may be difficult due to limited skilled labor, experts, and equipment such as inverters, raising concerns the project may not meet targets and the budget might not benefit citizens as intended.
Korn also observed that if small operators cannot join directly, they may have to subcontract from large operators and face kickback demands, reducing their income. He urged the Prime Minister to review these conditions to ensure fair competition and opportunity distribution nationwide.
The Democrat Party’s policy team added that the insurance and deposit conditions could add nearly 20,000 baht in costs per operator, affecting their ability to procure quality and safe solar equipment for citizens.
They also questioned the approval of a budget exceeding 970 million baht to develop personnel and installation technicians, suggesting the government should allow local technicians equal access without conditions that exclude small operators.
The policy team also highlighted delays in verification and certification of solar systems by the electricity authority, noting some installations from early this year have yet to receive certification, which may affect citizens’ tax deduction rights and impose financial burdens on operators.
The Democrat Party calls on the government to review all four criteria of the People's Solar Project to ensure citizens benefit from energy cost savings and small operators can participate fairly.