Special Correspondent :
The Power Division on Monday announced that solar panels will be installed on rooftops of all government offices, educational institutions, madrasahs, and hospitals across the country within the next six months.
The initiative falls under the government’s National Rooftop Solar Programme, aiming to add 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid by December 2025.
The programme will be implemented through two investment models – the CapEx (Capital Expenditure) model for government offices and the OpEx (Operating Expenditure) model for educational and healthcare institutions. Under the OpEx model, schools, colleges, madrasahs, and hospitals will not incur any installation or maintenance costs.
The rooftop solar systems, ranging in size from 10 kilowatts to several megawatts based on available roof space, will mostly operate without batteries. However, backup batteries may be installed in select educational and healthcare facilities where needed.
Net metering will be introduced to facilitate billing, allowing excess electricity sent to the grid to be offset against consumption. Settlements will occur every three months.
Currently, Bangladesh produces only 5.6% (1,563.7MW) of its total electricity from solar power – a figure the government aims to significantly boost. As per the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, the country targets sourcing 20% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and 30% by 2040.
With over 56% of electricity still generated from depleting natural gas reserves, the Power Division stressed the urgency of transitioning to renewables to ensure long-term energy security. The National Rooftop Solar Programme is a key component of this strategic shift.
The government has also launched a web-based application for institutions to assess their rooftop capacity, estimate installation costs, and review necessary equipment.
Panels will be installed only on government-owned buildings, excluding any rented or leased properties.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The initiative is expected to generate electricity worth Tk25,200 crore annually and result in financial savings of around Tk4,200 crore. It will also reduce fossil fuel consumption by approximately 1.8 million tonnes and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 2.5 million tonnes each year.
The programme is projected to create around 100,000 new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, helping build a domestic market for renewable energy and involving the youth in green technologies.
To support the transition, the government has reduced import duties on solar panels, inverters, and batteries to 1% in the 2025-26 national budget. A 10-year income tax exemption will also apply to institutions generating electricity from solar power.
The Power Division noted that the programme has the potential to earn up to $20 million annually through carbon credit sales, contributing both to the national economy and global climate goals.
The National Rooftop Solar Programme is expected to not only enhance the electricity supply but also deliver long-term economic, environmental, and employment benefits – marking a significant step toward a sustainable and self-reliant energy future for Bangladesh.
