With electricity being one of the biggest ongoing costs in indoor cannabis cultivation, many growers in Thailand are starting to ask: Can I power my grow with solar or wind energy — and is it worth the cost?
In this post, we’ll break down the realistic requirements and costs of running a cannabis grow using renewable energy in Thailand, with a focus on a 30-plant indoor setup.
☀️ Why Consider Renewable Energy?
- Lower long-term costs — once installed, solar/wind can drastically reduce or eliminate your electricity bills.
- Reliable power — ideal for rural or off-grid growers.
- Eco-conscious branding — especially important for commercial growers marketing to health-conscious consumers.
⚡ Step 1: Know Your Energy Needs
First, calculate your daily energy consumption. For a typical 30-plant indoor grow in Thailand:
| System | Approximate Daily Use |
| LED Grow Lights | 27–30 kWh |
| Air Conditioning | 50–55 kWh |
| Fans & Other Devices | 12–15 kWh |
| Total | ~90–100 kWh per day |
📌 That’s about 2,800–3,000 kWh/month.
☀️ Solar Power: Is It Enough?
✅ The Good:
- Thailand has strong year-round sunlight (4.5–5.5 peak sun hours/day)
- Solar panels are dropping in price
- Great for daytime loads (lights, fans)
❌ The Challenges:
- Large systems required to meet demand
- Expensive battery storage for 24/7 usage
- Not as efficient during rainy season or monsoon months
🧮 Example Solar System for 30 Plants:
| Component | Specs Needed | Estimated Cost (THB) |
| Solar Panels | 20–25 kW system | ฿400,000–฿600,000 |
| Inverter (hybrid or off-grid) | 10–15 kW capacity | ฿80,000–฿150,000 |
| Battery Storage (LiFePO₄) | 100–150 kWh total capacity | ฿400,000–฿600,000 |
| Mounting, Wiring, Labor | — | ฿50,000–฿100,000 |
| Total | ฿930,000–฿1,450,000 | |
| ($27,700–$43,200 USD) |
🌬️ What About Wind Power?
✅ The Good:
- Thailand has windier regions (e.g., coastal or highland areas)
- Great supplement to solar (works at night or cloudy days)
❌ The Challenges:
- Requires consistent average wind speed (5–6 m/s+)
- Turbines need space and tower installation
- Maintenance is higher than solar
💡 Hybrid Approach:
Pairing solar + small wind turbine can balance power availability and reduce reliance on large battery banks.
🔄 How Long to Break Even?
If your grow’s electricity bill is ~฿12,000/month ($340 USD), then:
- Break-even point for a ฿1,200,000 solar/wind system is ~8–10 years
- Faster if electricity rates rise or you expand your grow
- You’ll also gain energy independence and long-term stability
🧠 Things to Consider Before Going Off-Grid
- Do you have roof or land space for panels?
- Are you in a region with good sunlight or wind exposure?
- Do you want to go fully off-grid or stay grid-tied with backup?
- Can you handle a high upfront investment for long-term savings?
✅ Final Thoughts
Yes — it is possible to power your cannabis grow in Thailand using solar, wind, or a hybrid system. But it’s not cheap, and it takes careful planning. For small to medium grows (like 30 plants), going fully off-grid may cost over ฿1 million (~$28,000 USD). Still, for long-term growers or those in rural areas, the freedom and savings can be worth it.
In our next post, we’ll focus specifically on cooling costs — one of the biggest reasons why your grow room needs so much power in the first place.