Bangladesh's Rooftop Solar Rollout: A Prudent Approach Needed

Bangladesh's pursuit of renewable energy continues with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus directing the installation of rooftop solar panels on government buildings, educational institutions, and hospitals. This move aligns with the country's Renewable Energy Policy 2025, aiming to source 20% of electricity demand from renewables by 2030. However, the current solar electricity generation stands at 5.6% of national power, far behind regional peers like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, which have higher solar-powered electricity shares. The government is now focusing on rooftop spaces as a quicker solution, but concerns arise over the practicality and efficacy of this large-scale rollout. A thorough feasibility study is required to assess the project's sustainability and benefit-cost ratio before proceeding with large-scale implementation.

Key Takeaways:

• The current solar electricity generation in Bangladesh stands at 5.6% of national power, behind regional peers like India (24%), Pakistan (17.16%), and Sri Lanka (39.7%).
• Tenders for 55 land-based solar plants have been floated, but their full implementation could take until 2028.
• Rooftop solar panels may not be a practical solution, given the ease of installation over actual energy generation, and potential equipment failures or low maintenance.
• Government hospitals and educational institutions may face electricity disruptions due to poorly installed systems or equipment failures, posing a risk to patients and students' lives.
• Public-private partnerships may not be the best approach, given previous experiences with such arrangements.
• A nationwide rollout without proper feasibility assessment and maintenance planning could lead to a costly misadventure.
• An estimated enormous investment of thousands of crore taka would be required for implementing solar panels across all government buildings.
• The existing installations under the RAJUK directive require evaluation to determine their functionality, electricity generation, and maintenance issues.
• A local study is needed to evaluate costs, technical challenges, and grid integration to establish the project's practical benefits and sustainability.

Statistics:

• Bangladesh's solar electricity generation stands at 5.6% of national power.
• India's solar electricity generation accounts for 24% of its power.
• Pakistan's solar electricity generation accounts for 17.16% of its power.
• Sri Lanka's solar electricity generation accounts for 39.7% of its power.
• The target for sourcing 20% of electricity demand from renewables by 2030 requires a significant increase in solar electricity generation.

Sources:

• IRENA report on solar electricity generation in Bangladesh
• Bangladesh's Renewable Energy Policy 2025