One million farms will receive solar panels
Farmers’ electricity bills will be reduced by 30%
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Saturday announced plans to install solar panels on at least one million farms across the country to reduce electricity bills for farmers by 30 percent in the coming years.
Praphat Photasuthon, the deputy minister of agriculture and cooperatives, told the media that Thailand, along with many other countries, was facing an energy crisis as fuel prices rose.
Most of the fuel is imported for use in the agricultural, household and transport sectors.
High fuel prices affect the cost of agricultural production, so the ministry has begun talks with New Zealand’s Capital Trust Group, which manages the Singapore Fund, to conduct research on energy use in Thailand’s agriculture.
The ministry plans to issue a non-fungiable token (NFT) called “Solar Panels NFT for Thai Farmers” worth six million ethereum, or about 697 billion baht, to legally trade with international investors in Singapore.
According to him, the money collected from cryptocurrency will be used to purchase quality solar panels and distribute them to farmers.
Mr Praphat added that the energy would be used to power agricultural machinery such as electric tractors, milling machines and spraying drones.
The project will also help reduce household electricity bills by about 20-30% per month for 15-20 years.
Initially, the ministry will hold talks with government agencies and the private sector before accelerating the feasibility study to increase confidence among international investors.
According to him, one million farms producing solar energy will also help reduce the country’s greenhouse emissions.
The pilot project can be extended to all homes and businesses across the country.