What Makes TIS-Certified Solar Panels Different—and Why the Standard Matters in Thailand

As the global push toward renewable and clean energy accelerates, solar power has become one of the most widely adopted alternatives worldwide. Its ability to generate electricity from an abundant natural resource, combined with steadily declining production costs, has made solar energy one of the most cost-effective power solutions today. Thailand is no exception to this trend, with increasing adoption across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

At the heart of every solar power system lies one critical component: the solar panel itself. While many types of solar panels are available on the market—locally manufactured, imported, or classified as Tier 1—not all panels are created equal in terms of standards and certification. One of the most important benchmarks in Thailand is TIS certification, commonly known as “Mor -or- Kor” (มอก.). In this article, the Solar PPM team explains what TIS-certified solar panels are, how they differ from other panels, and why they play a crucial role in certain types of projects.

What Is TIS (Mor -or- Kor)?

TIS stands for Thai Industrial Standards, a set of technical specifications established by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI). These standards are designed to guide manufacturers in producing products that meet appropriate levels of quality, safety, and performance for real-world use.

TIS standards apply to a wide range of everyday products, including food, electrical appliances, vehicles, and construction materials. In simple terms, products certified under TIS must demonstrate that they perform as intended, are safe to use, and offer value that aligns with their price. For solar panels, this certification serves as a quality assurance framework tailored specifically to Thailand’s regulatory and environmental context.

How Are TIS-Certified Solar Panels Different?

In practical use, TIS-certified solar panels can be installed in projects of all sizes, just like other solar panels—whether for private sector developments, factories, commercial buildings, or residential homes. From a performance perspective, they are designed to function similarly to other high-quality panels on the market.

The key difference lies in regulatory eligibility, particularly for government projects in Thailand. Public sector installations typically include strict Terms of Reference (TOR) requirements. These often specify that solar panels used in bidding and procurement processes must be certified under Thai Industrial Standards and approved by TISI.

By contrast, many commonly used solar panels—whether produced in Thailand, imported from overseas, or classified as Tier 1—may meet international standards but do not carry TIS certification. While such panels are perfectly suitable for private projects depending on budget and design preferences, they generally cannot be used for government projects where TIS compliance is mandatory.

In short, the distinction is not about basic usability, but about formal compliance with Thai regulatory standards, which becomes essential when entering public sector or state-funded projects.