Rooftop solar: Caution before commitment

In what appears to be an attempt to fast-track renewable energy adoption, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recently directed the installation of rooftop solar panels on all government buildings including educational institutions and hospitals. The move is meant to go hand in hand with Bangladesh's Renewable Energy Policy 2025 which targets sourcing 20 per cent of electricity demand from renewables by 2030. As per the latest IRENA report, Bangladesh remains significantly behind its regional peers in solar electricity generation, with only 5.6 per cent of its power coming from solar, in contrast to 24 per cent in India, 17.16 per cent in Pakistan and 39.7 per cent in Sri Lanka. To meet upcoming target, tenders for 55 land-based solar plants have already been floated, but their full implementation could take until 2028. Hence, the government is now looking to rooftop spaces as a more immediate solution.

There are, however, significant doubts over the practicality and efficacy of this large-scale rooftop solar rollout. First off, the claim that 5.6 per cent of national electricity comes from solar power needs further investigation. It is plausible that this figure is indicative of installed capacity rather than actual output, which may be much lower given that many rooftop units stopped functioning soon after installation. Some high-rise buildings installed solar systems only to meet RAJUK's compliance requirements, and it is doubtful whether these systems are operational or connected to the grid in any meaningful way. Before allocating resources to this initiative, policymakers must distinguish between mere installation and reliable energy generation, particularly in a country where public infrastructure projects often neglect long-term maintenance.

Implementing solar panels across all government buildings would require an enormous investment, possibly running into thousands of crore taka. Without proper planning, this could turn into a massive misallocation of public funds. There is a real risk that many of these panels would exist only on paper, much like the proverbial cow that exists in the book but not in the shed. Government hospitals, in particular, need uninterrupted and stable electricity to run life-saving equipment. Poorly installed systems, equipment failures or even overcast skies during the rainy season could damage sensitive medical devices and endanger lives. Similarly, schools and colleges that are already struggling with limited resources may end up with faulty or inefficient solar systems that become long-term financial burdens. The idea of public-private partnership, where private companies install and maintain systems out of their own commercial interest, appears promising at first glance, but previous experiences with such arrangements do not inspire much confidence. The government must also assess whether older buildings can bear the added weight of solar panels, and whether institutions in shaded or congested areas get enough sunlight to justify the cost. A nationwide rollout without checking these basic facts would be irresponsible, no matter how noble the intentions behind it.

Before moving ahead, the government must undertake a thorough feasibility study to examine whether a nationwide rooftop solar rollout is truly worth the investment. As part of this, it must assess the existing installations, especially those installed under the RAJUK directive, to see how many are still functioning, how much electricity they actually generate and what maintenance issues have arisen over time. The study must also evaluate costs, technical challenges and the potential for grid integration across different categories of buildings. Only after establishing the project's practical benefits and sustainability should large-scale implementation proceed. There is no denying that renewable energy is the way of the future, but rushing in without proper groundwork could easily turn a well-intentioned plan into a costly misadventure.