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Speakers during a webinar on Thursday underscored the need for accelerating the use of renewable energy, especially the rooftop solar system to meet the country's mounting energy demand.
They also sought government assistance to incentivise the use of solar system atop all potential buildings by industry owners and public entities.
The Bangladesh Energy Society (BES) hosted the webinar on 1500MW power generation from multi-storey buildings and markets using rooftop solar energy panels by 2024 and a sustainable solution to electricity crisis.
Waseqa Ayesha Khan, chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on power, energy and mineral resources, was the chief guest at the event.
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) chairman Munira Sultana was the special guest there with BES president Md Abul Kalam Azad in the chair.
Ms Ayesha said, "We must carry forward all work together towards advancing renewable energy after overcoming the challenges of rooftop solar."
"Why always import everything?" she questioned, adding: "Local technology innovation companies should be encouraged to get involved with rooftop solar."
"We can also give special benefits to businesses in their annual tax for using rooftop solar energy."
Ms Ayesha suggested that the Bangladesh Bank encourage commercial banks so he Green Climate Fund reaches everyone's doorstep.
In his keynote, Bright Green Energy Foundation chairman Dipal C Barua said there is great potential to install rooftop solar system, especially on commercial buildings, residential buildings, industrial plants, garment factories, hospitals, metro-rails, rail stations, river ports, airports and other economic zones surrounding highways and embankments.
Social spots such as primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities, madrasas, mosques, temples and other religious buildings have also potential to generate power from the solar system.
If these places are properly utilised, there is a possibility of producing around 1,500 megawatt of electricity over the next two years, cited Mr Barua.
Solar EPC Development Ltd founder and managing director Ezaz Al Qudrat A Mazid, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) executive director and CEO Alamgir Morshed and energy expert Khandakar Abdus Salek Sufi, among others, also spoke.
In her speech, the SREDA chairman said the Korean EPZ and some industrial plants were some examples of progress in the rooftop solar system.
Many domestic and foreign companies want to invest in solar systems, according to Ms Sultana.
The revenue board will be contacted for tax reduction in this sector, she said, adding: "Industrial plant inspections and campaigns on the need for rooftop solar are being conducted."
Participants in the free discussion demanded the revelation of where electricity was wasted and where electricity could be saved.