The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has welcomed the government’s plan to generate 3,000MW of electricity through rooftop solar systems on public buildings, calling it a timely move toward achieving Bangladesh’s renewable energy targets.
The remarks came during a joint discussion hosted by CPD and the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) on the design, implementation, and monitoring of the National Rooftop Solar Energy Programme. The event was held at CPD’s office in Dhaka and moderated by CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem.
In her presentation, CPD Senior Research Associate Helen Mashiyat Preoty stressed that the programme should begin with pilot projects in selected areas rather than being rolled out nationwide at once. These pilot zones should be chosen based on solar radiation levels, grid readiness, financial capacity in different divisions, frequency of load shedding, and the presence of Rural Electrification Board (REB) cooperatives.
Preoty warned against repeating past mistakes, noting that earlier rooftop solar initiatives underperformed due to weak implementation and lack of follow-through. She cautioned against turning the programme into a mere “tick-box” exercise in public buildings, urging that budget allocations be tied to actual energy generation rather than installation alone.
For effective execution, she called for exemption of all taxes and duties—including customs, VAT, and import duties—on solar panels, batteries, and inverters. She also recommended detailed feasibility studies for each installation, covering rooftop capacity, shadow analysis, solar irradiation, and optimal equipment selection.
Preoty said a location-specific approach is critical, given the diverse conditions across Bangladesh. She urged finalizing Net Energy Metering (NEM) tariffs in consultation with utility providers and recommended forming a technical committee to oversee the procurement process.
To maintain system quality, Preoty proposed that reputable national laboratories be tasked with testing equipment before and after installation. She also called on Bangladesh Bank to introduce a refinance scheme or green energy fund to support rooftop solar projects in public institutions.
For projects following either the CAPEX (capital expenditure) or OPEX (operational expenditure) model, she stressed the need for sovereign or bank guarantees to ensure timely payments and contract enforcement. She also proposed a government-backed guarantee fund for maintenance and emergency repairs—especially in CAPEX-based systems, where maintenance budgets are often lacking.
Given longstanding transparency concerns in public procurement, Preoty emphasized the importance of independent, third-party monitoring and verification mechanisms to track progress and ensure accountability.
Other speakers at the event included former Bangladesh Bank official Khondaker Morshed Millat and Eng. Nazneen Akhter, Managing Director of Geosolar Bangladesh Limited, both of whom echoed the need for robust oversight, technical readiness, and long-term financing solutions to make the rooftop solar programme a success.