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DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Local Government Division has ordered the installation of solar power systems at markets and bazaars in every union across all upazilas by Jan. 31, 2027, as part of efforts to expand renewable energy use.
The division issued the directive in a letter sent Thursday to administrators and upazila nirbahi officers of all upazila councils.
Under the directive, solar power systems must be installed based on the roof areas of permanent market sheds and four- to five-storey buildings constructed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at various markets.
The electricity generated will first be used to meet the facilities’ own requirements, while surplus power will be supplied to the national grid through net metering.
The government has also instructed offices, agencies and institutions under the Local Government Division at the local, district and upazila levels to install rooftop solar systems with batteries on existing office buildings. The systems must have a minimum two-hour battery backup.
According to the directive, surplus electricity generated after meeting an institution’s own demand will be supplied to the national grid under the Net Metering Guidelines 2025. Each unit supplied to the grid will generate Tk 10.50, helping increase revenue for local government institutions.
The directive said funds allocated under the Hat and Bazar (Establishment and Management) Rules 2025 should be used to install and commercially expand solar power systems at markets.
Under the rules, 10% of lease revenue from each market is allocated for the maintenance and development of that market, while another 10% is earmarked for the maintenance and development of markets within the respective upazila.
Authorities have also instructed local bodies to sign agreements on non-judicial stamp paper with the companies installing the solar systems to ensure 20 years of repair and maintenance services.
All solar power systems at union-level markets and bazaars must be installed by Jan. 31, 2027.
