Bangladesh's Rooftop Solar Industry Is Gaining Momentum

Bangladesh currently has several megawatt rooftop solar facilities connected to the grid, and dozens of projects are under construction. There are also many industrialists who are regularly installing solar energy equipment on the roofs of their factories.

Encouraged by the State-owned Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA), major companies including clothing manufacturers have begun to show interest in using their building roofs to generate clean electricity.

SREDA Chairman Mohammad Alauddin revealed, “We are receiving more and more inquiries from different business groups seeking help in building rooftop solar facilities.”

According to government data, a total of 1,601 solar rooftop facilities are currently in production, with a power generation capacity of more than 75MW. And this list does not include many rooftop solar arrays installed by the private sector.

State-owned financial institution Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) has so far approved 41 rooftop solar projects with a total power generation capacity of 50MW. Agency directors said that there are still about 15 projects awaiting approval, and their total power generation capacity is expected to reach 52MW.

IDCOL CEO Abdul Baki said earlier this month that IDCOL has set a goal of funding a total of 300MW of rooftop facilities by 2024.