National grid receives solar energy from shrimp enclosure for first time

Solar energy, generated at a Shrimp Research Institute (SRI) in Bagerhat, has been added to the national grid for the first time in the country's history.

Five solar panels with a capacity of 25 kilowatt were set up on the roof and pond complex of the institute in 2017 to produce energy, said SRI chief scientist Dr Khan Kamal Uddin.

After successful installation of the panels, those started producing energy from October 16 this year, he said adding, "The solar energy generated here is not only meeting the demand of the institute but also being supplied to the national grid."

Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided the financial assistance to set up the solar panels.

Now, the energy is being supplied to the national grid with assistance from Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) and German donor agencies GIZ through net metering system.

Around 100 to 110 megawatt of solar power is generated from the panels each day.

"The shrimp enclosures in other parts of the country may adopt this technique of power generation as this system doesn't affect the production. It rather helps save money," the scientist added, UNB reports.

There are shrimp enclosures on 275,000 hectares of land in various parts of the country and energy can be produced by setting up solar panels in 45 per cent areas of the enclosures.

Palash Kumar Ghosh, executive engineer at Bagerhat West Zone Power Distribution Company, said the demand for energy in the country can be met by setting up such panels across the country.