Solar rooftop project approval process streamlined

Some 100 pending solar rooftop projects with maximum capacity of one megawatt are expected to proceed without being granted a factory permit in a move aimed at kick-starting investment in renewable energy.
Nattapon Nattasomboon, director-general of the Industry Ministry's Industrial Works Department, said simplifying procedures for solar rooftop projects would encourage developers to continue with their with their investment plans and attract more interest in the sector.
Earlier, the department insisted solar rooftops with capacity of less than 1 MW required a factory permit.
To date, 104 solar rooftop projects with a capacity of 10 kilometers each are awaiting a factory permit from the department. However, Mr. Nattapon said the Industry Ministry would apply the Building Control Act in monitoring the development of this type of solar rooftop. Meanwhile, the period of approving a factory permit will be shorten to 30 days from 45 days after the Industrial Works Department last week agreed to abolish the screening committee in order to speed up the process.
To date, 291 industrial projects of all types nationwide worth a combined 136 billion baht have been delayed while awaiting factory permit approval.
The department will receive applications and award companies access to factories for the examination. Afterward, the third party will deliver the results to the department for approval. Registration of third-party companies will begin on June 25, while the selection process is expected to last a couple of months.