Comprehensive assessment of co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation in Thailand
End : 31 December 2029
Comprehensive assessment of co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation in Thailand
About Project
Thailand’s increasing demand for coal and fossil fuel-based energy has substantial climate, environmental, and public health consequences. In response, the Ministry of Energy has ambitious plans to increase the share of renewable energy to over 50% by 2037. A high priority intervention included in this plan is photovoltaic systems or ‘solarisation’, which has emerged as a scalable source of renewable energy with co-benefits. However, potential maladaptation linked to solarisation cannot be overlooked. Local evidence on the co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation can justify future investments and inform implementation plans while reducing harm.
Therefore, the project “Comprehensive assessment of co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation in Thailand,” or shorty known as “CAST Solar” is a four-year (2026 - 29) transdisciplinary initiative aimed at supporting Thailand’s ambition for a cleaner energy future and provide actionable recommendations to key ministries, including Energy, Natural Resources and Environment, and Public Health etc. The specific objective is to estimate the climate, health, and economic benefits of implementing solar at the national level in Thailand, while addressing potential harms including the management of toxic waste from solar panels and energy injustice
CAST Solar brings together experts and national stakeholders to assess the co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation in Thailand including Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), International Health Policy Foundation (IHPP), King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Mahidol University (MU) and Chulalongkorn University (CU). Additionally, the key stakeholders such as Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), Greenery (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Pollution Control Department (PCD) will provide valuable insights into the project, including policy guidance, technical standards, data, and implementation support. The findings will be presented to policymakers and stakeholders to gather feedback, serving as a foundation for developing sustainable solarisation in Thailand.
This project is funded by Wellcome Trust and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and led by Environmental Economics Unit, HITAP.
Research Team
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