DHAKA, Nov 3, 2026 - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday inaugurated the first-ever Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026 as the government steps up efforts to expand solar power generation, attract private investment and promote rooftop solar installations across the country. Report UNB
He formally opened the two-day expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital and distributed prizes among winners of the idea competition, “Sfuron: In Search of Sustainable Energy Innovation.”
The Prime Minister later visited various stalls at the expo, jointly organized by the Power Division, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood presided over the inaugural program, held under the theme “Make Every Inch of Rooftop Useful, Increase Income through Solar Power.”
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder and Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh also addressed the program. Several ministers, state ministers, lawmakers, secretaries and senior government officials attended.
Modern solar technologies—including panels, inverters, smart-grid systems and advanced battery storage—are being showcased at the expo. Financial institutions, project developers and service providers are also presenting financing options, loans and technical assistance for solar projects.
The expo aims to support implementation of the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026–2030 and raise awareness of government policies and incentives to expand solar power.
Four seminars will be held during the expo under the theme “Policy, People and Capital for Bangladesh’s Solar Revolution.” Discussions will focus on expanding solar generation, promoting rooftop installations at public institutions, strengthening energy security, creating jobs through residential and industrial rooftop solar, and mobilizing private investment and carbon revenue for solar projects.
The event brings together policymakers, government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, technology suppliers, entrepreneurs, investors and consumers to promote cooperation and investment in the renewable energy sector.
The government is encouraging the operational expenditure (OpEx) model, under which third-party companies install solar panels on public and private rooftops without requiring institutions to make the initial investment.
Other measures to accelerate solar power expansion include 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 installations will be purchased at Tk10.50 per unit. Import duties on solar power and battery-related products have also been reduced to 1 percent, while value-added tax has been waived.
