Our Correspondent,
Barishal – Speakers and attendees at a meeting said rooftop solar power could play a vital role in addressing climate change risks, protecting public health, ensuring energy security, and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At the same time, it can help reduce reliance on energy imports, cut electricity costs, create local employment opportunities, and protect the environment.
The meeting addressed various issues regarding the expansion of rooftop solar power, such as the lack of public awareness, common misconceptions, the capacity for initial investment, technical expertise, grid connectivity, policy support, and institutional coordination.
During the meeting, a policy paper was presented addressing public knowledge, common misconceptions, potential opportunities, and existing obstacles concerning solar power.
The meeting was held on Wednesday at noon at the BDS Hall Room in Barishal, organized jointly by the Ecology and Development Forum-Barishal, Prantojon, the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), and the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED).
Gazi Zahid Hossain, Convener of the Ecology and Development Forum-Barishal, presided over the discussion. Guests included Jahida Khanum, Deputy General Manager of Barishal Palli Bidyut Samity-01, and Wahed Murad, an engineer from the Electricity Department of Barishal City Corporation.
Among others, Advocate Subhas Das (Member Secretary, Ecology and Development Forum-Barishal), Pushpa Chakraborty, retired Principal Aminur Rahman Khokon, Aktarul Kabir, and ATM Khorshed Alam addressed the event. Local government officials, businesspeople, civil society members, media representatives, and individuals from various professions participated.
Shubhankar Chakraborty, a member of the Ecology and Development Forum-Barishal, presented the policy paper titled “Opportunities and Potential of Rooftop Solar Power” and moderated the session.
According to data presented at the meeting, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has spent BDT 1,78,199 crore on capacity charges over the last two decades—an amount that could have funded the installation of approximately 32,400 megawatts of rooftop solar power capacity.
The discussions focused on the potential to build a green and sustainable city corporation by installing solar power systems on rooftops and other suitable spaces—such as municipal buildings, government facilities, markets, streetlights, parks, and public infrastructure like the roof of the Rupatali Bus Stand.
Speakers at the meeting noted that Bangladesh’s power and energy sector is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels. Consequently, a vast amount of foreign currency is spent annually on fuel imports.
This dependency places pressure on electricity generation costs, subsidies, and energy security.
The meeting underscored the importance of expanding solar power usage under the leadership of local government institutions to alleviate power outages.
