Staff Correspondent

The government has made it compulsory to install rooftop solar power systems on all buildings under Zila Parishads across the country to promote sustainable energy use and reduce electricity consumption.

The Local Government Division issued an urgent notification on September 16, directing the authorities concerned to complete the installation of rooftop solar systems on all Zila Parishad buildings by January 31, 2027.

The directive was issued in line with an instruction of the Power Division dated September 1, which was sent to the administrators and chief executive officers of all Zila Parishads.

According to the notification, rooftop solar systems must be installed at all main government office buildings at district and upazila levels under the Local Government Division, as well as buildings and facilities owned by Zila Parishads.

The systems, equipped with at least two hours of battery backup, will be installed at offices, auditoriums, dak bungalows, haats and bazaars, and other buildings under the Zila Parishads.

The notification said funds for installing the solar panels would be provided from the Annual Development Programme (ADP) or the revenue budget.

It also directed that surplus electricity generated by the systems, after meeting the respective establishments' requirements, be supplied to the national grid under the net metering system.

Under the Net Metering Guideline, 2025, Zila Parishads will receive Tk 10.50 per unit of electricity supplied to the grid, which is expected to create an additional source of income for them.

The financially self-sufficient Zila Parishads have been asked to install the solar panels using their own funds, while ADP funds may be used to expand solar power generation for commercial use.

Meanwhile, financially non-self-sufficient Zila Parishads will implement the programme with financial and technical assistance from companies enlisted by the respective electricity distribution utilities, in accordance with the National Rooftop Solar Programme Implementation Guideline.

The Zila Parishads have also been instructed to sign agreements with the companies installing the solar panels on non-judicial stamp paper, ensuring repair and maintenance services for the systems for the next 20 years.