Domestic Rooftop Solar Programme Launched in Bhaluka

A Domestic Rooftop Solar (DTRS) programme has been launched in Bhaluka to expand the use of solar power in the residential sector. The initiative, implemented by Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) and Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL), aims to turn the rooftops of around 16.3 million permanent and semi-permanent houses across Bangladesh into electricity-generation sites.

The inauguration ceremony was held on 30 October, Friday at the Bhaluka Upazila Complex auditorium. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, minister for power, energy and mineral resources, attended as chief guest. Member of Parliament Fakhr Uddin Ahmed was the special guest, while Mirana Mahrook, secretary of the Power Division, chaired the event.

As part of the programme’s launch, rooftop solar systems were installed at two homes. A 20-kilowatt-peak (kWp) system was installed at the residence of special guest Fakhr Uddin Ahmed, while a 5-kWp system was installed at the home of Bhaluka resident Md Sohel Rana. The systems were inaugurated through a video link during the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said the government had taken an initiative to convert the rooftops of approximately 16.3 million permanent and semi-permanent houses into electricity-generation facilities. The Domestic Rooftop Solar programme is being strengthened to encourage wider public adoption of renewable energy, he said.

He added that plans were being developed to meet at least 50% of Bhaluka’s electricity demand through solar power next summer, with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted supply and reducing public hardship.

Mirana Mahrook, secretary of the Power Division and chair of the event, said rooftop solar systems could significantly reduce electricity bills. Citing an example, she said the monthly electricity bill of a large institution had fallen from Tk 35,500 to Tk 7,400 after installing a solar system.

She added that households and farmers could meet their own electricity needs and earn an additional Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000 a month by selling surplus electricity. She urged people to make effective use of every available section of their rooftops to generate affordable power and create opportunities for additional income.

Special guest and MP Fakhr Uddin Ahmed thanked IDCOL for taking what he described as a timely and public-friendly initiative. He expressed hope that, if government plans were implemented as intended, Bangladesh would face no major electricity or energy crisis within the next five years. He said sustainable initiatives such as rooftop solar could play an important role in reducing power shortages.

Welcoming the participants, IDCOL Acting Managing Director S. M. Monirul Islam said, “We must turn our discussions into reality. We need to transform rooftops into rooftop solar facilities.”

The programme’s main presentation was delivered by Md Enamul Karim Pavel, head of renewable energy at IDCOL. In his remarks, BIFFL Chief Executive Officer S. M. Anichuzzaman said, “Let renewable energy become our primary source of power.”

Also present were Bhaluka Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Firoz Hossain; Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md Saifur Rahman; and Md Ashfaqul Amin Mukut, joint secretary at the Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance. Government officials, representatives of IDCOL and BIFFL, and other invited guests also attended.

The Domestic Rooftop Solar programme seeks to expand renewable energy use in homes while creating opportunities to reduce electricity bills and sell surplus power. Its impact on Bangladesh’s energy mix will depend on implementation, household participation and integration with the electricity system.

//DBTech/ AIP/ SME/MVNO//