Dhaka:Rooftop solar power systems installed at deputy commissioner (DC) offices and divisional commissioner offices across Bangladesh have a combined capacity of generating 5.07 megawatts of power. These installations are expected to reduce electricity bills and dependence on the national grid once all systems become fully operational and net metering is introduced.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a progress report on the installation of rooftop solar systems on government buildings states that DC offices had a combined capacity of 4,663 kilowatts as of June, while five divisional commissioner offices had a capacity of 405.5 kilowatts.
The government has invested approximately Taka 15.15 crore in this initiative. Officials indicated that while solar systems have already been installed on government office rooftops, some administrative procedures, including approval for net metering, remain pending. Once completed, the systems will be able to deliver greater financial savings, and surplus electricity could be supplied to the national grid.
Under the net metering system, excess electricity generated by a solar installation can be fed into the grid, allowing eligible consumers to receive adjustments to their electricity bills. In Dhaka Division, Kishoreganj has the highest generation capacity at 360 kilowatts, while Khulna Division's Khulna district leads with 180 kilowatts.
Shafiqul Alam, lead analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), emphasized that while the combined capacity of more than five megawatts may not significantly impact the national level, effective operation could serve as an example for expanding rooftop solar across public and private buildings. The government has adopted the Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026-2030, targeting 10,500 megawatts of renewable generation capacity by 2030, including 5,500 megawatts from rooftop solar power.