Across Dhaka's skyline, once-idle rooftops are being reborn as power stations, marking a quiet but decisive shift in Bangladesh's renewable energy journey.
On the rooftop of "Biniyog Bhaban" in the capital's Agargaon area, a 150 kWp solar photovoltaic installation has emerged as a showcase of how public institutions and utilities can transform unused urban space into engines of electricity, revenue, and climate resilience, according to the Climate Budget Report 2026-27.
The project, implemented under the National Rooftop Solar Program, is hosted by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida).
By providing rooftop space while Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO) undertakes capital investment and operational responsibilities, the initiative demonstrates how collaboration between public institutions and utilities can accelerate renewable energy adoption without imposing heavy upfront costs on government agencies.
The system generates between 500 and 600 units of electricity daily - around 15,000 units each month while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 150 to 180 tonnes annually, said the report.
Revenue sharing ensures mutual benefit: Bida receives 10% of the electricity for rooftop usage, while DESCO retains the remaining 90% along with future carbon credits.
Built with an initial investment of about Tk50 lakh, the facility is expected to recover its costs in just three and a half years, generating Tk14 to 15 lakh annually.
Such financial viability underscores the potential of rooftop solar as a scalable solution for Bangladesh's energy transition.
