PM Opens First Bangladesh Solar Expo to Boost Clean Energy

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman

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.

He formally opened the two-day expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.

The prime minister also distributed prizes among the winners of “Sfuron: In Search of Sustainable Energy Innovation”, an idea competition held as part of the event.

He later visited various stalls at the expo, jointly organised 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 Mahmud Tuku presided over the inaugural programme, held under the theme “Make Every Inch of Rooftop Useful, Increase Income through Solar Power”.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder and Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh, among others, addressed the programme.

Several ministers, state ministers, members of parliament, secretaries and senior government officials also attended.

The expo showcases modern solar technologies, including panels, inverters, smart-grid systems and advanced battery storage. Financial institutions, project developers and service providers are also presenting financing options, loans and technical assistance for solar projects.

The event 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”.

The sessions will focus on expanding solar power generation, promoting rooftop installations at public institutions, strengthening energy security, creating jobs through residential and industrial rooftop projects, and mobilising private investment and carbon revenue to finance solar initiatives.

The expo brings together policymakers, government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, technology suppliers, entrepreneurs, investors and consumers to encourage cooperation and investment in renewable energy.

The government is promoting the operational expenditure (OpEx) model, which allows third-party companies to install solar panels on public and private institutional rooftops without requiring the property owners to make the initial investment.

It has also introduced policy and fiscal measures to accelerate solar power expansion, 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 installations will be purchased at Tk 10.50 per unit.

Import duties on solar power and battery-related products have also been reduced to 1%, while value-added tax has been waived.