Bangladesh Orders Solar Panels on All Government Rooftops

Bangladesh's interim government, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has directed authorities to install solar panels on the rooftops of all government buildings, including schools, colleges, madrasas, and hospitals, to boost solar energy generation and reduce reliance on costly fuel imports. This initiative, named the 'National Rooftop Solar Programme,' encourages private investment where companies install and maintain the solar systems while the government provides only rooftop space, allowing institutions to avoid electricity bills and earn rent. Bangladesh currently generates only 5.6 percent of its electricity from solar power, significantly lagging behind regional peers such as India (24 percent), Pakistan (17.16 percent), and Sri Lanka (39.7 percent), according to a 2024 International Renewable Energy Agency report. The government has also initiated tenders for 55 land-based solar power plants with a combined capacity of 5,238 MW, but full implementation is expected by 2028. The Renewable Energy Policy 2025 targets 20 percent renewable energy generation by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. Yunus emphasized learning from existing rooftop solar installations to address problems and expedite the programme's implementation amid a worsening energy crisis and financial constraints.