DHAKA, November 1, 2026 — Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026 will begin in Dhaka on Tuesday, as the government steps up efforts to expand rooftop solar power, attract private investment and strengthen energy security.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood announced the program at a press conference, saying the government was prioritizing solar power to address energy challenges and encourage wider adoption of rooftop systems.
The two-day expo, scheduled for November 3–4 at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre, is being jointly organized by the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to inaugurate the event and visit exhibition stalls, according to a press release.
Under the theme “Make Every Inch of Rooftop Count, Increase Income through Solar Power,” the expo will showcase solar panels, inverters, smart-grid technologies, advanced battery storage systems and other modern equipment. Financial institutions, project developers and service providers will present project financing, easier-term loans and technical support.
Four specialized seminars will be held under the broader theme “Policy, People and Capital for Bangladesh’s Solar Revolution.” Discussions will cover pathways to a national solar revolution, rooftop solar in the public sector, energy security and employment through domestic and industrial rooftop installations, and ways to mobilize private capital and carbon revenue.
Local and international experts, policymakers, financial institutions, technology suppliers, investors and industry representatives are expected to participate. A special orientation session will also be arranged for solar service providers.
The organizers said the third-party rooftop solar initiative would enable public and private institutions to install solar systems without investing their own capital, helping expand adoption nationwide.
The expo comes amid government measures to accelerate renewable energy development, including the Special Solar Power Ordinance 2026 and the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026–2030.
Under a special net-metering package, surplus electricity generated by rooftop solar systems will be purchased at Tk10.50 per unit. The government is also promoting the Operational Expenditure (OpEx) model, allowing third-party companies to install solar systems on institutional rooftops without requiring upfront investment by building owners.
To reduce project costs and encourage investment, import duties on solar and battery-related products have been cut to 1%, while value-added tax has been fully waived.
The organizers expect the expo to strengthen cooperation across the renewable energy sector and contribute to Bangladesh’s energy security and transition towards a more sustainable economy.
