Bangladesh Turns to Rooftop Solar Amid Worsening Power Shortages

Bangladesh is facing its worst power shortages in years due to natural gas and global fuel supply concerns. To address this issue, the government has launched an incentive programme for rooftop solar systems with battery storage.

The programme aims to ease power shortages and reduce dependence on imported fuels. Consumers who install eligible rooftop solar systems by February 28, 2027 will receive 10.50 taka ($0.086) per kilowatt-hour for surplus electricity fed into the national grid for three years.

Bangladesh plans to generate 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040. Currently, it has about 1,559 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, mostly solar power. Energy officials see rooftop systems as a faster way to expand electricity generation alongside utility-scale renewable projects.