PUBLISHED : 15 May 2026 at 05:39
NEWSPAPER SECTION: News
WRITER: Post Reporters
The government has ordered the Office of the Consumer Protection Board to urgently investigate unsafe solar rooftop installations linked to fire risks and consumer losses exceeding 500,000 baht, following complaints about substandard equipment and improper electrical work.
PM’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, who oversees that office, said on Thursday she had instructed officials to expedite a fact-finding probe into solar installation companies accused of using low-quality materials and unsafe installation practices.
The move followed complaints from consumers who said their solar systems failed to reduce electricity bills as promised and instead created safety risks, including overheating equipment, melting components, burning smells and sparks that nearly triggered fires.
Ms Supamas said the OCPB would inspect product labels on solar equipment, including photovoltaic panels, inverters and batteries sold nationwide, to ensure compliance with Thai Industrial Standards certification requirements.
She stressed that labels are a key tool for consumers to verify product information before purchase, particularly for electrical equipment that can directly affect life and property.
Under the Consumer Protection Act, solar panels, inverters and batteries are classified as controlled-label products, requiring operators to provide accurate and complete information.
Violations carry penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment and a 100,000-baht fine for sellers, while manufacturers or importers face up to one year in jail and fines of up to 200,000 baht.
According to the complaints, some installers allegedly converted electrical systems from three-phase to single-phase setups, used aluminium instead of copper wiring, and failed to install proper grounding, resulting in voltage drops, power outages, and fire risks.
The OCPB said preliminary findings showed some operators marketed services online without clearly specifying equipment standards in contracts, preventing consumers from verifying product quality before installation.
Authorities are considering classifying solar installation services as a contract-controlled business and designating solar equipment as specifically controlled-label products, while coordinating with agencies including the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and electricity regulators.
The probe follows complaints from business owners, including a Bangkok clinic operator and a restaurant owner in Saraburi, who spent hundreds of thousands of baht on systems that allegedly failed to cut electricity costs as promised.
One complainant said technicians appeared inexperienced and were watching YouTube tutorials during installation.
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