Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested the use of solar power in all public universities of the country to establish energy efficient, green campuses and save costs in the energy sector. UGC Chairman (Additional Charge) Professor Dr. Muhammad Alamgir said a policy will also be formulated in this regard. On the other hand, Rajshahi University-RU Vice-Chancellor Professor Golam Sabbir hopes that new technology will be invented in the public university through the use of solar power and skilled manpower will be created in this sector.
They expressed the view at a meeting titled ‘Solar Power Development Model in Public Universities’ held at the UGC on Thursday (September 21).
Energy Advisor of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and Dean of Faculty of Engineering of Daffodil International University Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam presided over the function. Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Golam Sabbir Sattar and UGC Secretary Dr. Ferdous Zaman were present as special guests.
CAB’s Research Coordinator Engineer Shuvo Kibria said, “Social Movement for Environmental Protection and Solar Power Development: Perspective University”, Project Consultant Engineer of Novelty Energy Limited. Dr. Intikhab Alam spoke on ‘Solar PV System Development under Onex Model for Public University’, Associate Professor of Daffodil International University Tasmia Baten on ‘Conducting Energy Audit in Public Universities’ and Nusrat Chowdhury and Sihab Uddin of the same university on ‘Off-Grid / On-Grid DC/AC Solar Power Plant Performance Study’.
Professor Alamgir, a member in charge of UGC’s planning and development department, said the government has pledged to ensure the use of 40 percent renewable energy by 2041 under the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan. Therefore, steps should be taken to reduce the use of fossil fuels from now on. The establishment of clean energy and green campuses must ensure an increase in the use of renewable energy. For this, a timely policy has to be formulated.
UGC Chairman Professor Alamgir said that according to the Renewable Energy Policy-2008, 10 percent renewable energy will be used by 2021. Due to lack of up-to-date policies, it has not been possible to produce even one percent electricity in this sector. In addition to installing solar panels to build infrastructure, the concerned will have to check whether electricity is being produced from here or not.
He also said that the use of solar power can be an important and timely step in the power crisis in the country’s public universities. The use of solar power will reduce carbon emissions, save costs and have a positive impact on the environment. However, he suggested a feasibility study before using solar power in the university.
Dr. Alamgir said that in view of the reality, at present, online teaching is being done once a week in public universities. The demand for electricity is increasing at an increasing rate due to the expansion and development activities of the university.
He stressed the need to increase awareness about the use of electricity among the teachers, students and officials of the university. At the same time, he said, the use of solar power in public universities can be an example for others in this time of load shedding and energy crisis.
On the occasion, RU Vice-Chancellor Professor Golam Sabbir said that the university will need a lot of electricity in the future. Ensuring the use of environment-friendly solar power will reduce the cost of the government, save energy and expand technology. Through the use of solar power, new technologies will be invented in public universities and skilled manpower will be created in this sector.
