Comprehensive assessment of co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation in Thailand

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 cobenefits. 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, this fouryear transdisciplinary study aims to unite experts and national stakeholders to assess the co-benefits and maladaptation of solarisation in Thailand. The intervention includes ground and floating solar implemented by the Ministry of Energy at the national level across different sectors including households. Phase I will convene stakeholder consultation to finalise study protocol. Phases II & III involve data collection and analyses. Outcomes will be projected for various policy scenarios from 2005 as the baseline up to 2065 as the net zero target. Phase IV will convene independent evaluation of findings, stakeholder consultation to solicit feedback, and a round table with policymakers to deliberate on policy actions.