The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), hosted a workshop on ‘Installation of Industrial Rooftop Solar Systems – Prospects and Benefits’ on Saturday in the capital.

The workshop aimed to promote rooftop solar technology among members of Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector.

Experts highlighted that electricity generated from solar rooftops is more cost-effective than grid tariffs, and financing such projects aligns with the country’s renewable energy goals.

In his speech as the chief guest, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, said the government is working relentlessly to generate 10 per cent electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.

‘The adoption of rooftop solar technology in the industrial sector marks a significant step towards energy independence and sustainability for Bangladesh. This initiative reduces dependency on grid electricity and supports our commitment to renewable energy,’ he added.

Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division and chairman of the IDCOL, said that adopting rooftop solar technology in the industrial sector is not just a step toward reducing energy costs but a vital commitment to achieving Bangladesh’s renewable energy targets.

‘Let us work collaboratively to unlock this potential and pave the way for a greener, more energy-secure future,’ he added.

Alamgir Morshed, executive director and CEO of IDCOL, said that they provide low-cost financing and technical support for rooftop solar capacity development.

These are very important for scaling up this technology. Bangladesh has the potential to generate more than 5,000 MW of electricity from rooftop solar. He added that IDCOL has set a target to finance 300 MW rooftop solar projects by 2026.

Michael Sumser, director of the KfW Office in Dhaka, and Md Anwar Hossain, administrator of the BGMEA, were also present at the event