5% tax rebate for solar panel users under consideration: DNCC

Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mohammad Azaz has said his administration is contemplating to provide a five percent tax rebate for city dwellers who will use solar panels as part of green energy promotion.

"The DNCC is thinking of considering a 5% tax rebate for the city dwellers if they use the rooftop solar panel", he said at a policy dialogue titled "The Role of Renewable Energy for in Building a Just Urban".

The event was jointly organised by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) at the auditorium of the DNCC Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan-2 on Monday.

With Professor Mohammad Ali Naqi, head of the Department of Architecture, State University of Bangladesh, in the chair, the seminar was also addressed by Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of CAPS, who made the keynote presentation.

The DNCC administrator also stressed the need for a continued research in this area as to how the advantage of green energy could be utilised.

He emphasised the potential of installing solar panels on buildings in Dhaka's planned neighborhoods, where rooftop solar clearance is adequate due to uniform building heights.

He noted that through the effective rooftop solar implementation, buildings can meet their own electricity demand and even contribute to the national grid—making the concept of a "just transition" more attainable.

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said that Dhaka ranks among the worst cities in terms of air quality, livability, traffic congestion, and noise pollution.

Referring to Yale University's 2024 Environmental Performance Index, where Bangladesh ranks 175th out of 180 countries, he warned that unplanned urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have led to severe environmental degradation. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is one of the key solutions to combat this crisis.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer Abu Sayed Md. Kamruzzaman pointed out that Dhaka is an unplanned city and achieving justice in such a context requires comprehensive planning and implementation.

Prof. Dr Adil Mohammed Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), noted that Bangladesh has significant potential for renewable energy. He emphasized the need to promote its use across sectors and raise awareness to build a greener and healthier future.

Professor Dr. M. Shahidul Islam, Chairman of the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Dhaka, advocated for reduced energy demand, increased use of public transport, and greater responsibility among polluters.

Mohammad Fazle Reza Sumon, Convenor of BIP's Advisory Board, proposed that rooftop management could be a major source of renewable energy and urged collective action at the individual level.

Professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain, former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at BUET, suggested identifying major polluters and taking strict control measures, including promoting electric vehicles charged by solar energy.

Roufa Khanam of the Center for Climate and Environmental Research (CCER) stressed the need for skilled technical management, effective monitoring, and incentives to implement renewable energy laws effectively.

Professor Naqi underscored the dual necessity of reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy.