By Staff Reporter, Sylhet

The government is taking a broader approach to renewable energy as Bangladesh faces rising electricity demand and continuing challenges in the power sector. Greater emphasis is now being placed on solar energy as a cleaner source of electricity, with government offices and public institutions being encouraged to adopt solar systems alongside efforts to expand rooftop solar use among individuals and private establishments.

The installation of solar panels at the Prime Minister’s residence has drawn particular attention as part of this broader initiative. The government sees the move as an example of how renewable energy can be incorporated into major public facilities while reducing dependence on conventional sources of electricity.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also stressed the need to increase rooftop solar installations across the country. In a parliamentary address, he highlighted measures intended to encourage solar power generation, including financial incentives for producers and arrangements under which excess electricity generated from rooftop systems could be supplied to the national grid.

Solar-generated electricity has already started contributing to the power needs of the Prime Minister’s Gulshan residence. The government had earlier announced plans to begin using electricity generated by rooftop solar panels there from October 1. Similar initiatives are being considered for other major government establishments, including the Secretariat, the National Parliament and the Prime Minister’s Office.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said on October 3 that electricity generated from solar panels installed at the Prime Minister’s residence had already been used at the facility. According to information provided by the state minister, around 1,000 units of solar electricity were consumed at the residence over a three-day period, while approximately 1,200 units of surplus power were supplied to the national grid.

The government believes that public institutions should play a leading role in demonstrating the practical benefits of renewable energy. Solar installations at government buildings could help reduce conventional electricity consumption while giving citizens a clearer understanding of how solar power can be used in everyday operations.

Plans are also being considered to expand solar facilities at union parishad complexes, government offices, educational institutions, hospitals and other public establishments. Such projects could allow local communities to see renewable energy systems operating directly in public facilities and may encourage wider adoption at the household and commercial levels.

One of the important aspects of the plan is the possibility of sending unused solar-generated electricity to the national grid. Under the net metering arrangement, a facility that produces more electricity than it requires can transfer the additional power to the grid. This system can potentially lower electricity expenses for participating institutions while increasing the amount of renewable energy available to the country's power network.

Financial incentives are also being considered as a way to make rooftop solar more attractive. In a parliamentary statement in September, the Prime Minister said the government would purchase surplus electricity produced by rooftop solar systems installed within a specified period at a rate determined by the authorities.

Such a policy could encourage households, businesses and institutions to invest in rooftop solar equipment. The government has also pointed to tax and duty-related benefits for some equipment used in solar installations, including panels, inverters and batteries. These measures are intended to reduce barriers to investment and accelerate the expansion of renewable energy.

Bangladesh's growing electricity requirements have made diversification of energy sources increasingly important. While conventional fuels continue to play a major role in meeting national demand, the government is seeking greater use of cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.

Solar energy has considerable potential in Bangladesh because sunlight is available across the country for much of the year. Rooftops of residential buildings, factories, educational institutions, hospitals and government offices can provide useful spaces for installing solar panels without requiring large areas of additional land.

Making greater use of existing rooftops could create an additional source of electricity while helping reduce pressure on conventional power generation. For institutions with suitable buildings and sufficient sunlight, rooftop solar could also provide a long-term opportunity to reduce part of their electricity expenses.

Government directives have placed particular emphasis on increasing solar use at major public facilities. Among the establishments being considered for greater adoption of solar energy are Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Planning Commission and the Finance Division. Other government offices are also expected to gradually increase their use of renewable electricity.

The planned installation of solar systems at union parishad complexes is another part of the initiative. Apart from generating electricity, these facilities could serve as examples for rural communities by demonstrating how solar technology can be integrated into local public infrastructure.

The expansion of solar energy could also have environmental benefits. Unlike electricity generation based on fossil fuels, solar power uses sunlight as its primary energy source and does not require the burning of conventional fuels during electricity generation. Greater use of renewable energy could therefore contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels over the longer term.

However, the successful expansion of solar power will depend on more than government initiatives. Individuals, businesses, educational institutions and other organizations will also need to participate. The availability of quality solar panels and other equipment, regular maintenance, proper battery management and reliable connections with the national grid will be important for ensuring that solar projects remain effective over time.

The government's decision to introduce solar power at the Prime Minister's residence and its wider plans for public institutions have therefore attracted attention as a visible step toward expanding renewable energy. If similar rooftop systems are adopted on a larger scale by households and institutions, renewable sources could gradually account for a greater share of Bangladesh's electricity supply.

A sustained expansion of solar power, combined with appropriate investment, technical standards and effective grid management, could help diversify the country's energy sources and contribute to long-term energy security.