Solar Panel Installation in 64 Districts

The initiative was undertaken to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to Youth Development offices by connecting the solar systems to the national grid through net metering, while also creating a potential source of future revenue.

Under the net energy metering process, electricity generated by rooftop solar panels is first used by the consumer. Any surplus electricity is then supplied to the national distribution grid. A bidirectional meter records the amount of electricity supplied to the grid. If the amount of electricity fed into the grid exceeds the amount consumed during the financial year, the government will pay the consumer for the surplus electricity at the end of the financial year.

As part of the solar panel installation initiative, each Youth Development office has been equipped with a 33 kW on-grid solar system, a lightning protection system, a net meter, and an online monitoring system for remote monitoring. The total installed system capacity is 2,112 kW.

Each site includes solar panels, an inverter, an online monitoring system, mounting structures, wiring and safety systems, a lightning protection system, air terminals, surge protection devices, down conductors, an earthing system, and commissioning and testing facilities.

District-wise Solar Panel System Installation

A contractor named Fibonacci JV installed solar panel systems in 32 districts, comprising 13 districts in Dhaka Division, 4 in Mymensingh Division, 11 in Chattogram Division, and 4 in Sylhet Division.

The districts covered under Dhaka Division are Dhaka, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Gazipur, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Rajbari, and Gopalganj.

The districts covered under Mymensingh Division are Sherpur, Jamalpur, Netrokona, and Mymensingh.

The districts covered under Chattogram Division are Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Khagrachhari, Chandpur, Rangamati, Chuadanga, Feni, Cumilla, Bandarban, Brahmanbaria, and Noakhali.

The districts covered under Sylhet Division are Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, and Habiganj.

Another contractor, Filament Science JV, installed solar panel systems in the remaining 32 districts, comprising 8 districts in Rajshahi Division, 8 in Rangpur Division, 6 in Barishal Division, and 10 in Khulna Division.

The districts covered under Rajshahi Division are Rajshahi, Natore, Naogaon, Pabna, Joypurhat, Chapainawabganj, Bogura, and Sirajganj.

The districts covered under Rangpur Division are Rangpur, Kurigram, Panchagarh, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, and Dinajpur.

The districts covered under Barishal Division are Barishal, Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Jhalokathi.

The districts covered under Khulna Division are Khulna, Jashore, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Magura, Narail, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Chuadanga, and Meherpur.

Following the installation and commissioning of the solar systems, electricity bills at the youth training centers have been reduced to approximately one-third of their previous levels on average. Dependence on the national grid has also decreased. The systems have helped ensure an uninterrupted power supply for training and administrative activities, as well as the operation of computer labs.

At the same time, reduced reliance on fossil fuels has made the overall power supply system more environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly.