CPD urges pilot projects for rooftop solar ambition
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has cautiously welcomed the government's ambitious plan to generate approximately 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity through solar panel installations.
However, the prominent think tank has strongly recommended initiating a pilot project before a full-scale rollout to thoroughly assess effectiveness and ensure robust evaluation and monitoring.
The recommendations were put forward at a discussion on "National Rooftop Solar Energy Programme: Proposals for its Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation," jointly organised by the CPD and the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association at the CPD office in Dhaka today.
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CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem, who moderated the event, emphasised that proper pre-planning and effective implementation guidelines are crucial for the scheme's success. He advocated for a phased approach, starting with pilot projects in selected areas rather than immediate full-scale deployment.
"The piloting sample should be selected based on radiation impact, available finances in different divisions, grid readiness, major load shedding areas, and the presence of REB Samities," Moazzem said.
He further called for a clear policy guideline and urged the government to exempt all customs duty, import duty, VAT, and tax on solar panels, batteries, and inverters to maximise the programme's effectiveness. Site selection, he added, must be primarily driven by solar radiation potential and the geographic distribution of government offices.
Helen Mashiyat Preoty, CPD's senior research associate, highlighted the necessity of a "tailored, location-specific approach" to ensure the technical and financial viability across Bangladesh's diverse regions. She stressed that reputable national laboratories should be entrusted with testing equipment both before and after installation.
Other speakers at the programme included Khondaker Morshed Millat, former director of the Bangladesh Bank's Sustainable Finance Division, and Nazneen Akhter, managing director of Geosolar Bangladesh Limited.
