The Amount of Electricity Generated From Solar Is Suddenly Unbelievable

[Rimmer]

The Amount of Electricity Generated From Solar Is Suddenly Unbelievable

Simply mind boggling.

 

If it feels like the world is being deluged with bad news lately, here's an actual bright spot: the Sun has become the go-to source of energy for tens of millions across the globe.

 

A recent story by The New Yorker dove into the astonishing growth of solar energy over the past few years. Among other extensive data, the magazine notes that renewables made up 96 percent of demand for new energy throughout the globe in 2024; In the United States, 93 percent of new energy capacity came from solar and wind.

 

But while renewables writ large are having their day, the speed at which solar energy in particular is growing blows everything else out of the water.

 

Full story:

https://futurism.com/electricity-generated-solar-power

 

 

[KhunLA]

Depending where located, it's cheap, and easy to install or have installed.  That really is location dependent.

 

TH .. easy & cheap

USA ... not so much 

USA, at 3X the cost, at least, for our small system, and way over regulated in USA.  Hard to get around the hoops you have to jump through in the USA.   Here, TH, most are left alone to do as we please.

 

FREEDOM ROCKS

[Pogust]

Yes it makes sense here in Thailand with plenty of sun. Further north not so much. But the solar panels and required equipment is only available through use of fossil fuel like coal and diesel. The global increase in energy from solar and windmills is less than the total increase in energy consumption. Wind and solar is around 3% of total consumption. 

More data here: https://ourfiniteworld.com/2025/07/14/worrying-indications-in-recently-updated-world-energy-data/

[Will B Good]

The week Thailand, one of the sunniest countries on Earth, announces it is going nuclear....555

[mistral53]

On 7/15/2025 at 7:26 PM, Will B Good said:

The week Thailand, one of the sunniest countries on Earth, announces it is going nuclear....555

 

On 7/15/2025 at 7:26 PM, Will B Good said:

one of the sunniest countries on Earth

lol...........you should move to Thailand to be privy to more factual details - Thailand is not even close to be 'sunniest', especially during the hot period when air-cons run overtime and its overcast most of the days. 

[lom]

42 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

ol...........you should move to Thailand to be privy to more factual details - Thailand is not even close to be 'sunniest', especially during the hot period when air-cons run overtime and its overcast most of the days. 

Sunny enough for me to have two aircons running 24/7 and two aircons running 8 hour per day, our household is using 1500 units this month whereof 30 units comes from PEA.

I assume you don't have solar yourself...

[mistral53]

1 hour ago, lom said:

Sunny enough for me to have two aircons running 24/7 and two aircons running 8 hour per day, our household is using 1500 units this month whereof 30 units comes from PEA.

I assume you don't have solar yourself...

That's good for you, wherever you live - 36 panels here. Extrapolating from the first 21 days of this month, we are at 2/3 of what November and onward will produce, or 50% of what a sunny place like Arizona or Saudi Arabia does year round. 

 

or from Claude:

 

Thailand's solar harvest potential is solid but falls behind the world's top solar regions like Australia and Arizona. Here's how they compare:

Thailand's Solar Resource: Thailand has an average annual solar radiation of 1,875 kWh/m²/year (5.06 kWh/m²/day), with around 14.3% of the country receiving 19-20 MJ/m²/day and another 50% getting 18-19 MJ/m²/day. The strongest solar areas are in Thailand's northeast and central regions.

Australia's Superior Potential: Australia significantly outperforms Thailand, particularly in its western and northern regions. Western and Northern Australia have maximum potential for PV production, with insolation greatly exceeding average values in Europe, Russia, and most of North America. Australia can achieve up to 2,900 kWh/(kWp·y) in its best locations - substantially higher than Thailand's levels.

Arizona's World-Class Resource: Arizona is among the states with the highest average peak sun hours in the US, along with Nevada, New Mexico, and California. Arizona's desert regions typically receive 6-7 peak sun hours daily compared to Thailand's average of about 5 hours.

Regional Context: In terms of solar potential, Thailand lags behind the US but is ahead of Japan, ranking fourth among compared countries. While Thailand has good solar conditions for Southeast Asia, it doesn't match the world's premium solar regions.

The practical implication is that solar installations in Arizona or northern Australia will generate significantly more electricity per panel than equivalent systems in Thailand, though Thailand still offers viable solar development opportunities, especially given its tropical location and consistent year-round sunshine.

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, mistral53 said:

 

lol...........you should move to Thailand to be privy to more factual details - Thailand is not even close to be 'sunniest', especially during the hot period when air-cons run overtime and its overcast most of the days. 

 

600 posts and already talking s hite I live here m oron

 

Thailand has strong solar energy potential, thanks to its high annual solar irradiance and tropical location. Here’s a breakdown in terms of megawatt-hours per square meter per year (MWh/m²/year) and potential usage:

☀️ 

Thailand’s Solar Energy Potential (by Insolation)

Average solar radiation:

4.5 – 5.5 kWh/m²/day, which equals:

🔹 1,640 – 2,000 kWh/m²/year

🔹 or 1.64 – 2.0 MWh/m²/year

📍 

By Region (Approximate Solar Radiation Potential)

Region

kWh/m²/day

MWh/m²/year

Northeast (e.g. Ubon, Khon Kaen)

5.3 – 5.5

1.93 – 2.0

Central (e.g. Bangkok)

5.0 – 5.2

1.82 – 1.90

North (e.g. Chiang Mai)

4.5 – 4.8

1.64 – 1.75

South (e.g. Phuket, Hat Yai)

4.2 – 4.5

1.53 – 1.64

The Northeast and Central regions have the highest solar power potential.

🔌 

Installed Solar Capacity & Usage (as of recent data)

Installed capacity: Over 3,000 MW (as of 2023)

Thailand aims for:

🔹 15,574 MW of solar by 2037 (per Power Development Plan – PDP 2018 Rev.1)

🔹 Growing use of floating solar farms, like on reservoirs and dams

🔹 Increasing uptake of rooftop solar for homes and businesses

🏠 

What This Means for Usage

A 1 kW rooftop solar panel system in Thailand typically generates:

1,400–1,600 kWh/year

Enough to power a small household’s lighting and fans or cut down significantly on electric bills

Utility-scale solar farms (e.g. 10 MW) can supply thousands of households.

 

[CallumWK]

On 7/15/2025 at 5:16 PM, KhunLA said:

Depending where located, it's cheap, and easy to install or have installed.  That really is location dependent.

 

TH .. easy & cheap

USA ... not so much 

USA, at 3X the cost, at least, for our small system, and way over regulated in USA. 

 

That is because your hero, the cult leader in the US, withdraw all the subsidies.

So see, I have told you before to avoid using that cheesy emoji in all your posts, as it clearly shows you are the joke, because you support Trump

[BritManToo]

20 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

That is because your hero, the cult leader in the US, withdraw all the subsidies.

So see, I have told you before to avoid using that cheesy emoji in all your posts, as it clearly shows you are the joke, because you support Trump

Why would they need subsidies, solar is cheap in Thailand with none.

Sounds more like unscrupulous US businesses profiteering.

[CallumWK]

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Why would they need subsidies, solar is cheap as in Thailand with none.

Sounds more like unscrupulous US businesses profiteering.

 

Are the import duties on Chinese produced solar the same in the US as in Thailand?

I don't think so

[hotsun]

14 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

That is because your hero, the cult leader in the US, withdraw all the subsidies.

So see, I have told you before to avoid using that cheesy emoji in all your posts, as it clearly shows you are the joke, because you support Trump

electricity is cheap in the US

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, hotsun said:

electricity is cheap in the US

 

 I don't know the price of electricity in the US. Is it cheaper than in Thailand?

[hotsun]

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

 

 I don't know the price of electricity in the US. Is it cheaper than in Thailand?

It is for me. 20 bucks per month in the US. 50-100 per month in Thailand depending on how much aircon I use. So it makes sense to buy solar here not the US

[BritManToo]

7 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Are the import duties on Chinese produced solar the same in the US as in Thailand?

I don't think so

Shouldn't an item all western countries tell us is essential to the future well being of the world make solar equipment, and EVs, tax and duty free?

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, hotsun said:

It is for me. 20 bucks per month in the US. 50-100 per month in Thailand depending on how much aircon I use. So it makes sense to buy solar here not the US

 

I thought electricity was priced on kWh, not in monthly cost.

If you live in Thailand, of course you will have a low monthly bill in the US.

So what is the price per kWh in the US?

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Shouldn't an item all western countries tell us is essential to the future well being of the world make solar equipment, and EVs, tax and duty free?

 

That was not my question.

I think it is duty free in Thailand, but is it also duty free in the US.

Nope, so now we are back to my original post where I pointed out that Trump is the reason why it isn't cheap in the US, but you decided to deflaect on that.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

 

That was not my question.

I think it is duty free in Thailand, but is it also duty free in the US.

Nope, so now we are back to my original post where I pointed out that Trump is the reason why it isn't cheap in the US, but you decided to deflaect on that.

Wow, the hate just eats you guys up.   

 

... "President Biden raised tariffs on certain Chinese goods, including electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels. The tariffs on Chinese EVs increased to 100%, while tariffs on solar cells increased to 50%. These increases were part of a broader set of tariff hikes on goods from China, targeting strategic product categories." ... 

 

For those curious, though not sure when ttl charge is, and if inclusive of all charges.   $0.10 = ฿3.22

 

... "The average cost of electricity per kWh in the US varies significantly by state, ranging from around 10 cents to over 30 cents. Factors like geographic location, energy sources, and regulations influence these prices." ...

[CallumWK]

10 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Wow, the hate just eats you guys up.   

 

... "President Biden raised tariffs on certain Chinese goods, including electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels. The tariffs on Chinese EVs increased to 100%, while tariffs on solar cells increased to 50%. These increases were part of a broader set of tariff hikes on goods from China, targeting strategic product categories." ... 

 

Biden ordered the tariffs on Solar wafers and polysilicon imports to be increased to 50% in December 2024, and I'm even not sure if they ever came into effect since that was at the end of his term.

 

But this is what Trump did.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ygdv47vlzo

US sets tariffs of up to 3,521% on South East Asia solar panels

22 April 2025

 

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Biden ordered the tariffs on solar panels to be increased to 50% in December 2024, and I'm even not sure if they ever came into effect since that was at the end of his term.

 

But this is what Trump did.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ygdv47vlzo

US sets tariffs of up to 3,521% on South East Asia solar panels

22 April 2025

 

Not everyone shops from CN 

 

... "Solar panels imported from Mexico are subject to a 25% ad valorem duty, as per the April 2025 Executive Order, unless they meet the origin requirements under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), in which case they can enter the US market duty-free. This means that if the solar panels are not considered originating from Mexico under USMCA rules, they will be taxed at 25% of their value" ... 

 

https://www.sunhub.com/blog/where-do-u-s-solar-panels-come-from-a-look-at-2024-imports/?srsltid=AfmBOooC7zxdJinWhi3I3qNj-xGmJDXevWmMhxXviIRW1oUxDCzBLdVN

[CallumWK]

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Not everyone shops from CN 

 

I didn't say China, the article says South East Asia..

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ygdv47vlzo

 

The proposed levies - targeting companies in Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam

 

Some solar equipment exporters in Cambodia face the highest duties of 3,521% because of what was seen as a lack of cooperation with the Commerce Department investigation.

Products made in Malaysia by Chinese manufacturer Jinko Solar faced some of the lowest duties of just over 41%.

Another China-based firm, Trina Solar, faces tariffs of 375% for the products it makes in Thailand.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

That was not my question.

I think it is duty free in Thailand, but is it also duty free in the US.

Nope, so now we are back to my original post where I pointed out that Trump is the reason why it isn't cheap in the US, but you decided to deflaect on that.

No, I'm still claiming it's expensive due to US corporate profiteering.

 

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

No, I'm still claiming it's expensive due to US corporate profiteering.

Agree, nothing but price gouging.  And the over regulations, keeps you slaves to the system.  Fossil fuel industry still rules the politicians in USA.  

 

They are to the point now in the USA, they'll never catch up to the 'financial' freedom & independence that is offered in TH.

 

If wanting, you can be self sufficient in TH.   USA now endorses the feudal serfdom system, and going in the complete opposite direction that a progressive nation should go.

[Bandersnatch]

41 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

If wanting, you can be self sufficient in TH

 

Highly recommended investment. No electric bills for the last 8 years and no fuel bills for my cars for the last 5 years.

[KhunLA]

20 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

Highly recommended investment. No electric bills for the last 8 years and no fuel bills for my cars for the last 5 years.

Yea, we're almost at the ROI mark, for the 'necessary' size system.  The extra ESS, will take another year for full ROI.   Another 6 months or so, and ROI on 8kW inverter & (one) 10kWh ESS will probably be realized at years end, and that's just over 3 yrs (Aug 2022). 

 

Bit faster that expected, due to high cost of petrol, hitting ฿38-฿40 a liter , for too long, now back down, but still over ฿30 a liter.  When averaging only 17k kms a year for 3 years, even that adds up quick.

 

Electric & petrol bills were our largest monthly expense, aside from food of course.  Average about ฿5k, a month each, so about ฿10k a month, and non DIY system, without the extra ESS, (not needed), was ฿350k.  Now could easily install same system for about ฿100k less, if DIY, for even quicker ROI.

[CallumWK]

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Agree, nothing but price gouging.

 

Strange that you ignored my previous reply, which showed you are uninformed.

 

The price gouging is by your cult leader. 3521% price gouging to be precise 

[KhunLA]

17 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Not everyone shops from CN 

 

... "Solar panels imported from Mexico are subject to a 25% ad valorem duty, as per the April 2025 Executive Order, unless they meet the origin requirements under the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), in which case they can enter the US market duty-free. This means that if the solar panels are not considered originating from Mexico under USMCA rules, they will be taxed at 25% of their value" ... 

 

https://www.sunhub.com/blog/where-do-u-s-solar-panels-come-from-a-look-at-2024-imports/?srsltid=AfmBOooC7zxdJinWhi3I3qNj-xGmJDXevWmMhxXviIRW1oUxDCzBLdVN

Solar does NOT have to be expensive in the USA.  DIY as way too easy, especially if you can get away with not mounting panels on roof.  That was my problem here, with my back.  Would definitely go DIY on next system.  Itching to put one on one of the lots we have 😎