Legal Measures Development for Sustainable Solar Energy Implementation: Case Study of the Community Area of Koh Jik, Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

This research aims to study and analyze appropriate legal measures for promoting the sustainable use of solar energy at the community level, using Koh Jik Community, Chanthaburi Province, a remote area with high energy potential but facing structural obstacles, as a case study. A Mixed Methods approach was used, involving a quantitative survey of 193 samples and qualitative analysis through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders.

                  The findings indicate that despite high social readiness and clear benefits in energy cost reduction, scaling up is hindered by three main obstacles: 1) High upfront costs and lack of easily accessible soft loan mechanisms; 2) Lack of technical knowledge for long-term maintenance; and 3) Inconsistent Thai laws, which are centralized, focusing on large operators, leading to complex permitting processes and a lack of legal status for "Community Energy" to produce and sell surplus electricity.

                  In-depth analysis under the Holistic Participatory Energy Model (HPEM) and energy justice principles suggests that the clarity of legal procedures and institutional trust are crucial factors influencing installation decisions. The research proposes prompt legal reform to recognize the status and rights of "Grassroots Prosumers", implementing stable financial incentives (Tiered FiT/Net Metering), simplifying permitting to a notification regime, and establishing a performance tracking index (Solar Legal Acceptance Index: SLAI) to ensure laws adapt to actual community data. These proposals aim to reduce energy inequality and create long-term sustainability.