How smart appliances and solar energy are changing life in Bangladesh

On a winter evening in Narail, cattle farmer Shaqline Habib strolls through his shed, flicking on a small light above the resting cows. "Before I installed solar, this place was in complete darkness. Now the cows are calmer at night, and I don't have to rely on costly kerosene lamps," he says with quiet satisfaction.

Shaqline's story is becoming common across Bangladesh, where solar energy is quietly transforming life in rural corners. From fishermen illuminating ponds at night to girls in remote villages studying under bright bulbs, the simple technology is reshaping life after sunset. At the same time, homes — rural and urban alike — are embracing appliances that consume far less energy, offering efficiency alongside convenience. Together, these changes point toward a future where energy use is cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable.

Bangladesh's economy has grown impressively, averaging 8% growth in recent years. Yet more than a quarter of rural households still lack access to the national grid. For millions, life is constrained by daylight hours and costly, polluting fuels such as kerosene. Off-grid solar solutions are steadily closing that gap.

According to the World Bank, more than 4 million households — benefiting roughly 20 million people — now have Solar Home Systems (SHS). The initiative has expanded to include over 1,000 solar irrigation pumps and 13 solar mini-grids. Grameen Shakti, supported by the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), leads this movement, installing 30,000 SHSs monthly. IDCOL alone has supported more than six million installations — the largest programme of its kind globally.

The impact goes far beyond powering bulbs. In Jashore, fish farmer Hasib Molla points toward his pond, lit by solar lamps. "The lights keep thieves away at night and help me monitor the fish. I don't worry about power cuts here," he explains. Across Bangladesh, similar stories echo: poultry farmers keep chicks warm through winter nights, markets stay open after dark, and women run small businesses in light-filled homes.

On Monpura, a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, a solar mini-grid has revolutionised life. Markets buzz at night, households run televisions and fans, and sewing businesses work late into the evening. For many, solar energy is not just a source of light — it is a driver of opportunity, safety, and dignity.

This shift comes at a time when Bangladesh's households are also reaping benefits from smarter appliances. Over the past two decades, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and other appliances have undergone a remarkable transformation. In Bangladesh's growing towns and cities, these devices now use significantly less energy while offering greater performance.

Televisions, for instance, have moved from bulky, power-hungry CRT models to flat-panel LED screens with advanced brightness controls and AI energy modes. Refrigerators have become smarter, cutting energy use through better insulation and inverter compressors that adjust cooling needs. Air conditioners now operate with AI-enabled systems that predict usage patterns and optimise performance — offering comfort with far less power consumption. These advancements reduce household electricity bills while contributing to the larger goal of energy efficiency.

The combination of clean generation and efficient use creates a powerful synergy. Bangladesh sits in a region with strong solar potential, receiving between 4 and 6.5 kWh/m² of solar radiation daily. Experts estimate the country could one day generate up to 50,000 MW from solar power alone. But challenges remain — high costs, occasional faulty installations, and insufficient backup power — issues that need addressing for solar to reach its full potential.

Yet progress continues. Government initiatives, private sector involvement, and NGO programmes are making solar and energy-efficient appliances more accessible. Instalment plans, community-based projects, and training programmes are helping bridge the gap between innovation and affordability.

Beyond convenience, these advances have social and environmental benefits. Cleaner energy reduces respiratory illnesses, supports children's education, improves women's safety, and powers clinics to store vaccines and provide night-time care. For a climate-vulnerable nation like Bangladesh, renewable energy is not only a matter of necessity — it is a matter of resilience.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Asian countries to end fossil fuel dependence. For Bangladesh, expanding solar parks, mini-grids, and efficient appliances offers a practical step forward. It's a vision where energy use is not a burden, but a catalyst for better living.

As Hasib puts it simply, "The sun goes down, but life doesn't stop anymore." Across villages and towns, solar power and smarter appliances are ensuring that it doesn't.