5MW rooftop solar to be added to National Grid by Sept

Bangladesh will connect nearly 5 megawatts of electricity from rooftop solar panels to the national grid by September, BPDB said, as part of efforts to expand renewable energy.

BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim told BSS on Wednesday that installation is progressing nationwide under the board’s Power Sector Development Fund.

*Rooftop projects*
Grid-connected systems totaling 5MW are being set up at 19 locations. Key sites include 1.3MW at Ghorashal, 0.40MW at Bibiyana, 0.26MW in Khulna, 0.25MW at Barapukuria, 0.13MW at Chattogram Training Centre, and 0.12MW at Rajshahi Training Centre.

*Larger solar push*
BPDB is also advancing three utility-scale solar projects totaling 77.5MW. Tenders for the 50MW, 20MW and 7.5MW plants opened June 23-25 and are under evaluation. Reports will go to the Power Division next month and then to the Cabinet Committee for approval.

*Current capacity and targets*
Bangladesh now has 1,807.75MW of installed solar capacity, about 5.01% of total generation. BPDB has signed deals with 12 IPPs for 918MW more solar at an average 7.80 US cents/kWh, 2.5 cents lower than before.

The government targets 10,000MW from renewables in 5 years. Long-term plans aim for 20% renewable electricity by 2030 and 30% by 2040.

*(BSS, Dhaka)*

*Key edits:* Cut repetition, grouped data, active voice, and led with the 5MW rooftop news + timeline.