Mandatory installation of solar panels (solar power generation equipment) in multi-storied buildings in the capital to get new electricity connections has become a big problem.
The customer does not get any electricity from the panel, on the other hand, the electricity department workers are being extorted in the name of panel inspection.
A large part of these solar panels, which have been brought in by spending huge foreign currency in the last 12 years, are now useless. These expensive 20-year solar panels do not last even a year. It is being sold as waste to thrift shops. Clothes are being dried on the solar panels which is a showpiece on the roof.
Building owners and housing traders said that due to the mandatory use of solar panels, some traders involved in the import of these materials have become sudden rich. Opportunity for bribery of dishonest officials-employees of electricity distribution companies has been created. The country did not gain anything, on the contrary, the harassment of common people increased. There are also threats.
Tofail, a caretaker of a six-storey building in Khilkhet of the capital, said that after six months of installing the solar panel at a cost of Tk 4 lakh, the battery was damaged. No longer fixed. Most of the surrounding buildings have no solar panels.
Sheikh Hatim, the owner of a house in Vatara, said that after building a building with a loan, one has to spend Tk 3 to 10 lakh to install solar panels. Otherwise the electricity does not connect.
Citing examples of acquaintances, he said, many people bring solar panels on rent and returned it after receiving electricity connections. Even if the panels are installed correctly, many defects appear after a few years. No lights turn on. Employees of the electricity department have to manage by bribing when they come to observe. It's all a waste. If someone needs solar power, he will install it at his own will.
In the last four days, more than half a hundred buildings in Khilkhet, Badda, Bhatara, Mirpur and Sheorapara of the capital have surveyed, most of the buildings have solar panels as showpieces. Most are useless. A thick layer of dust has accumulated on the panel. Also cut the cable connection. No battery.
Those concerned said that even if the solar panels are of no use, they are being imported at the cost of foreign currency. Some businessmen of certain countries and Bangladesh are benefiting from this. The loss is to the country.
Meanwhile, the fact that the solar panels installed at home are not working has come up in various surveys before. The issue of civil disaffection has come up. Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET) professor and renewable energy researcher Shahidul Islam Khan conducted a survey in 2013 among customers who got new electricity connections after installing solar panels in Dhaka.
In that survey, the dissatisfaction of the customers and the ineffectiveness of the solar panels emerged.
According to the survey report, the installation of solar power panels has resulted in customer suffering and additional cost. Some people got the opportunity to corrupt by selling or renting substandard panels. As a result, there is a negative attitude towards solar power among urban people.
In 2017, a survey conducted by the Electricity Department showed that the number of solar panels of residential customers in Dhaka City was more than 60 thousand. More than 50,000 of them are wasted.
On the other hand, after 2017, all the buildings in which solar panels have been installed were not functional. Basically these panels are installed by connecting or renting them to get electricity connection.
Another study titled 'Effectiveness of Net Metering System in Dhaka City for Rooftop PV System' by Dhaka Electricity Supply Company (DESCO) found that 35 rooftop solar systems were tested only four were properly utilized.
In 2010, consumers were verbally conditioned to install solar panels to get electricity connection.
Since then, various consumer groups, especially the housing tradesmen's organization, have been demanding the removal of the provision for installation of rehab solar panels.
In view of the demand, the government waived the obligation to install solar panels for new connections on 12 May 2014.
But in 2015, this condition was again imposed on the neck of the people. If the area of the building is more than 6 thousand square feet then adding solar panel is mandatory. As a result, all the high-rise buildings built in the capital have to install solar panels.
According to housing traders, more than 2 lakh buildings were constructed in the country during this period. And thousands of crores of taka have been spent to install solar panels on these buildings. Few companies have imported these solar from abroad by spending valuable foreign currency.
Sources from Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association said that the cost of generating electricity from rooftop solar panels is 6 crore taka per 1 megawatt (including land cost, installation of solar power system, maintenance cost).
Shamsul Alamin, president of Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB) told Bangladesh Pratidin, “The solar panels that are being given to the houses are not effective. I have told this matter many times to the Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Secretary of Energy Department. It is true that solar panels are being imported and installed by spending foreign currency, but the government or the nation is not getting any benefit from it.”
“Initially these panels were launched but later they are no longer in operation, maintenance is not done. If you go to the house, you will see that the clothes are dried on the panels placed on the roof. Solar panels are occupying a space on the roof. We have accepted that. It is required for green energy. But if it does not operate, then it is just a waste of foreign exchange,” he added.
Munira Sultana ndc, chairman of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority told Bangladesh Pratidin, “The building code policy of the Capital Development Authority states that those who construct new buildings must install solar panels. Approval is required for this. Many people install panels for building, but do not connect. Leave it like a showpiece.”
“If real solar panels were installed, electricity would be saved. The policy that has been made is correct. You don't have to pay for the electricity you get from solar panels. If someone doesn't understand his own good then there is nothing to do.”
“After installing the panel and pulling the line, there is no further cost. Just needs a little cleaning sometimes. Solar panels are installed at home on their own initiative. If the panel is damaged, you have to repair it at your own expense,” she added.
@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March, 01 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan.
