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The government has made rooftop solar systems mandatory for all Zila Parishad buildings across the country to promote renewable energy and reduce electricity costs.
The Local Government Division issued an urgent notification on September 16, directing the authorities to complete the installations by January 31, 2027.
The move follows a September 1 directive from the Power Division to administrators and chief executive officers of all Zila Parishads.
The solar systems will be installed at main government offices at district and upazila levels under the Local Government Division, as well as offices, auditoriums, dak bungalows, haats and bazaars and other Zila Parishad-owned facilities.
Each system must have at least two hours of battery backup, according to the notification.
Funds for the installations will come from the Annual Development Programme (ADP) or revenue budgets. Financially self-sufficient Zila Parishads will use their own funds, while ADP allocations may be used to expand solar generation for commercial purposes.
Non-self-sufficient Zila Parishads will receive financial and technical support from companies enlisted by the relevant electricity distribution utilities under the National Rooftop Solar Programme Implementation Guideline.
The notification also instructed the Zila Parishads to supply surplus electricity to the national grid under the net-metering system after meeting their own requirements.
Under the Net Metering Guideline, 2025, Zila Parishads will receive Tk10.50 per unit for electricity supplied to the grid, creating a potential additional source of revenue.
They must also sign agreements with the installation companies on non-judicial stamp paper, ensuring repair and maintenance services for the solar systems for 20 years.