Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday inaugurated the first-ever Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026 as the government takes steps to increase solar power generation, attract private investment and encourage rooftop solar installations across the country.
He formally opened the two-day event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
The prime minister also handed over prizes to the winners of an idea competition titled “Sfuron: In Search of Sustainable Energy Innovation”.
After the inauguration, he visited different stalls at the expo, which was 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 chaired the opening ceremony. The event was 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 Md Khairuzzaman Majumder and Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh also spoke at the programme.
Several ministers, state ministers, members of parliament, secretaries and senior government officials attended the event.
The expo features modern solar technologies, including solar panels, inverters, smart-grid systems and advanced battery storage. Financial institutions, project developers and service providers are also showcasing financing options, loans and technical support for solar energy projects.
The event aims to support the implementation of the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026-2030 and increase awareness among stakeholders about government policies and incentives for expanding solar power.
Four seminars will also be held during the expo under the theme “Policy, People and Capital for Bangladesh’s Solar Revolution”. The discussions will cover ways to expand solar power generation, encourage rooftop installations at public institutions, improve energy security, create jobs through rooftop solar projects in residential and industrial areas, and attract private investment and carbon revenue to finance solar projects.
The expo has brought together policymakers, government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, technology suppliers, entrepreneurs, investors and consumers to encourage cooperation and investment in the renewable energy sector.
Several policy and financial measures have also been introduced to speed up solar power expansion. These include the Special Solar Power Ordinance 2026 and the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026-2030.
The government is promoting the operational expenditure (OpEx) model, which allows third-party companies to install solar panels on the rooftops of public and private institutions without requiring the institutions to make the initial investment.
Under a special net-metering package, the government will purchase surplus electricity generated by rooftop solar systems at Tk 10.50 per unit.
Import duties on solar power equipment and battery-related products have also been reduced to 1 per cent, while VAT has been waived.
