Bangladesh expands rooftop solar push to boost clean energy
Government-backed projects are turning unused urban rooftops into power plants as Bangladesh targets 35,000 MW capacity and greener grid by 2030
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh is expanding rooftop solar power across government buildings, businesses and urban infrastructure as part of an ambitious plan to generate 35,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030 while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and accelerating its transition toward renewable energy.
The South Asian nation has set a target of meeting 20% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by the end of the decade, with long-term plans envisioning clean energy contributing between 30 and 50% of the national power mix by 2050.
Alongside large-scale solar farms and grid upgrades, officials increasingly see thousands of unused rooftops as a cost-effective way to add generating capacity without requiring new land.
According to the Climate Budget Report 2026-27, the strategy combines financial incentives, tax breaks and modernized electricity infrastructure to encourage both public institutions and private consumers to install solar panels. The government has already extended a zero percent tax rate for the solar sector until 2035 and offers rebates on electricity bills for consumers generating their own power.
A rooftop installation at Biniyog Bhaban, a government office complex in Dhaka, illustrates the approach. The 150-kilowatt solar system produces between 500 and 600 units of electricity every day while cutting an estimated 150 to 180 tons of carbon emissions each year.
The project operates under a revenue-sharing model between the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and the state-owned Dhaka Electric Supply Company, demonstrating how public buildings can become both energy producers and sources of additional income.
Officials estimate the project will recover its investment within three and a half years and generate annual earnings of up to 1.5 million Bangladeshi taka ($12,200), reinforcing the economic case for expanding rooftop solar across the country.
Bangladesh is simultaneously pursuing a National Energy Storage Roadmap designed to modernize the electricity grid and accommodate larger volumes of intermittent renewable power. Energy planners say improved storage capacity will make it easier to integrate solar generation while maintaining a stable electricity supply as demand grows.
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