Producing electricity with solar system like other renewable energy sources has become a silent revolution in Bangladesh. Solar PV energy is now being successfully used for home lighting as a sustainable source of energy. Although it had started in Bangladesh in the off grid area for rural lighting, now urban applications are increasing day by day through hybrid system either through grid or genset. 

Bangladesh had started its journey for renewable energy with solar system. In the early 80s, Atomic Energy Commission had installed a solar PV system in remote health clinic. 

Although the initiatives were taken in early 80s, the success came in 2003 when IDCOL, a government-owned development financial institution with financial assistance from different donor agencies, i.e, WB, GEF, GTZ, KFW came forward for the promotion of renewable energy options especially solar home system. Prior to this program, Rural Electrification Board (REB) had taken a initiative to promote this technology in a char (shoal) at Karimpur in Narsingdi with financial support from France. The initiative was taken by the then energy minister, which later could not succeed due to crisis over policy decision. After 2-3 years of installation, REB had extended its network to this shoal and as a result the users opted for grid power instead of solar. At the same time, management trouble of REB was severe in the area that ultimately made the project failed in 3 years. 

Although the project was failed, Karimpur initiated a new stream in the country’s solar history. Encouraged by this project, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) started producing and providing solar power in the hill areas. It is still running as a successful project. At the same time, LGED started setting up solar system in the upazila health complexes that was aimed at preserving life saving medicines and vaccines. They set up a small solar power production and distribution plant in Rangamati. However, solar home system of today was initiated in 2001, which is now producing around 5 MW power with nearly 100,000 home systems. In the rural remote areas of Bangladesh. Grameen Shakti, a sister concern of Grameen Bank that has achieved Nobel Peace Prize for its human development works, unilaterally set up the highest number of solar home system across the country. Shakti also received many local and international recognition. Following its footprint, nearly 25 companies of the country are now engaged in expansion of solar home system. Apart from private firms, PDB, REB and LGED are also engaged in it. REB has been installing solar home system in some 15 PDS out of 76 with financial support from USAID. 

A mere 30-35% of the total population of Bangladesh has access to the national electricity grid. Education, business, agriculture, and other production oriented activities face constant interruptions due to power shortages. It will also not be possible in the near future to extend the grid system to connect significant number of households, shops, business centers, commercial and other institutions situated in the remote villages of Bangladesh. The country's power system depends almost entirely on fossil fuel, which is not only a fast depleting natural resource but also discharges carbon dioxide thereby negatively affecting the environment. In this context, Grameen Shakti has been selling, installing and maintaining environment-friendly solar power systems to rural communities at affordable prices. To facilitate this service, Grameen Shakti has also been extending necessary credit support to these communities and has installed over 77,000 solar power systems till date.

But one institution has played vital role from backstage for expansion of solar system --Rahimafrooz. They are providing solar panel, equipment and necessary battery. National and international recognition came along the way. The company has set up a separate unit for flourishing solar system in the country. It has been working in Nepal in the same field. 

Rahimafrooz: The Solar Leader 

Rahimafrooz’s involvement with Solar Energy business started in 1985 to supply battery to a pilot project of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission to supply solar-electricity to a health clinic. Rahimafrooz has continued its effort to promote and aware the Solar PV technology to policy makers as well as to the end users. It took al most a decade to create the Solar PV market. During this long journey Rahimafrooz organized workshops, seminars, demonstrations, advocacy programs and various other initiatives to include RET in our energy policy.

Rahimafrooz solar business is branded as Rahimafrooz Solar. Till 2006, significant part of Rahimafrooz Solar business was managed by battery manufacturing subsidiary of RABL, namely, Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd. (“RBL”). Presently, the Group has focused into renewable energy business especially solar PV by creating one of its wholly owned subsidiary namely, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy (“RRE”). 

Rahimafrooz Solar Power System, a feasible alternate source for rural electrification, has enhanced the living standard of rural people over the last decade. In June 2006, Rahimafrooz won the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy for their key contribution for rural electrification through robust and reliable solar home systems.

Rahimafrooz Solar in partnership with the local NGOs has continuously been connecting poor communities and expanding their access to electricity in rural Bangladesh. By 2010 it aims to transform lives of 5 lac people by providing education, opportunity & empowerment through the Solar Power Systems.

Key Projects

From 1996 to till lunching of REREDP pilot program Rahimafrooz Solar successfully worked in the following key projects in the country besides the solar home lighting system.

● SEMP SRE Project with LGED 

● Village electrification through centralized Solar PV in 1999:
1.8 KWp Centralized system at Abaipur growth center at Sailkupa, Jhenidah powering 50 shops, 2 small industries and a mosque. 

● Solar Electrification Project at Ambaria UP Complex Bhaban in 2002: 600Wp Centralized system to power 18 lights 2 fans and a color TV.

● Solar centralized AC system for fisherman community in Cox’s Bazar in 2002: 5KWp AC centralized system as a community power source of off grid communities. 

● Solar Photo Voltaic Pumping at Barind draught area at Rajshahi in 2006. 4 solar submersible pumps consisting of 6KWp installed for pure drinking water supply. 


● Hill tracts electrification project with BPDB-

● 300 SHS at Borkol consisting of 120Wp system

● 10KWp centralized system at Borkol, Rangamati

● IDCOL REREDP Program 

Rahimafrooz Solar participated in the pilot program providing 121 systems through following MFIs- 

• BRAC – 63 systems

• TMSS – 29 systems

• Coast Trust –24 systems

• Srijony-5 systems

The experience of the pilot program helped the partners to grow confidence on Rahimafrooz Solar products. Gradually the new POs under this IDCOL REREDP program also relied on Rahimafrooz Solar. The business presently is managed by RRE. A list of key customers of RRE under the IDCOL REREDP program are the following:- 

• BRAC
• BRIDGE
• TMSS
• Coast Trust
• PDBF
• PMUK
• IDF
• Suboshoti
• Mukti Cox’s Bazar
• Srijoni

● Overall Solar PV Systems Supplied by Rahimafrooz Solar under REREDP Program Table summarizes volume of PV systems supplied under REREDP program.

Market 

IDCOL alone proposes to install about 80,000 SHS per year till year 2009 under its renewable energy program. Moreover, there exists a demand for another 10,000 SHS outside the program within Bangladesh. Furthermore, an export market (provided an assembler/distributor/trader has access to such markets) may also absorb another 10,000 SHS. Working out this assumption, there is at least 100,000 SHS for a solar panel assembly plant.

On the contrary, Rahimafrooz Solar is presently enjoying around 43% market share as a system solution provider and more than 90% market share in the storage power segment. There are few players in the market who are offering storage power (deep cycle battery), charge controller and luminary. 

The conclusion is that Rahimafrooz Solar can successfully market project output in PV market. Its ability to do so is further discussed below.

Solar PV System in Bangladesh by Rahimafrooz 

There is an immense potential for the use of solar PV technology here in Bangladesh. Photovoltaic is a proven viable option in remote areas. Solar irradiation in different regions of Bangladesh is sufficient for cost effective application of solar photovoltaic electrification.

Bangladesh is continuing its efforts for harnessing its solar power for reaching electricity in its hilly areas and islands where supply of traditional electricity will not be possible in foreseeable future. The people in other areas will need electricity for running hospitals, vaccine refrigerator, telecommunication, cyclone shelter & navigational lighting system.

Although there are good prospects for solar PV system in Bangladesh, potential market development has rather been limited. The Govt., Private sectors and NGOs are taking increasing initiative towards development of the solar energy utilization.

Rahimafrooz, the pioneer organization engaged in research and commercial utilization of solar energy since 1986 in Bangladesh has made some progress. Rahimafrooz has been working in this field both individually as well as in association with other agencies like NGOs , private and government sectors.

Rahimafrooz's local manufacturing facilities of quality solar batteries, charge controller, luminaries, and other components have considerably brought the system price down.

SPV Home Lighting System

Rahimafrooz has installed the following SPV systems for rural applications.

● Solar PV lantern 
● Domestic lighting System 
● Small and medium stand alone SPV system (<3 KW) 
● Centralized AC SPV power plant 
● Solar hot water system 
● Solar vaccine refrigerator 
● Solar water purification system 
● Railway signalling system 
● Telecommunication 
● Navigation lighting system 



Solar Pump 

Bangladesh is an agricultural country where irrigation is very vital. One-fifth of 26-27 lakh metric tons of imported diesel is used for irrigation. Diesel runs some 11.14 lakh shallow-deep and low-lift pumps across the country and provide irrigation facilities to 77 percent agri-land. On the other hand 23 percent irrigation pumps are run by electricity that requires 400-500 MW power. As the power is not available, irrigation is hampered severely. If the pumps were run by solar, it would definitely brought a revolutionary change. Rahimafrooz has been working on it and set up some pumps in some areas of the country including in Rajshahi. 

Price of diesel was increased by 21 percent this year while diesel crisis in the last five years’ irrigation period was a much talked about issue. Solar pump of different capacities from 300 to 2400 watt are used in different countries of the world which can lift water from 5600 liters to 45,000 liters. An 1800-watt capacity pump can lift 82,000 liters of water from 20 meter depth, which costs Tk 10.27 lakh. An additional Tk 2 lakh would be required for reinstalling the pump after 10 years. As a result, the total cost in 20 years would be Tk 12.27 lakh that shows lifting each liter at Tk .25. On the other hand, a 5-horse power diesel pump can lift such water, which will require Tk 13.28 lakh for only its diesel charge for 20 years (each liter at Tk 40). It shows the cost of each liter water at Tk .27. If solar system is used, at least 25,000 kg carbon dioxide would not be produced for using the diesel run pump. But our farmers are unable to invest that much money. 

A business firm has started working for marketing solar pump. The government now needs to provide loan for farmers without interest or at a low rate. If the government replaces 13 lakh pump by solar system under a 10-year plan, many development partners would extend their hands. It will reduce use of diesel in the ountry by 14 lakh tons, which can save huge amount of forex. 


WB Support $ 100 Million for Generating Solar Power 

The World Bank is processing a 100- million dollars loan proposal to help increase the solar energy generation and expand its coverage to five lakh or 0.5 million new users in the country by 2015. 

A source at the government run Infrastructure Development Co Ltd (IDCL) said that the new initiative has been taken in view of the tremendous success the project has already achieved specially in rural electrification efforts. 

Its popularity is rapidly growing, said the source pointing out that the number of its current generation units stand at 1,09,700 and the total electricity produced by them stand at about six mw. 

This success has been attained mainly from January 2003 to March this year when the IDCL took the project initially to reach a target group of only 50,000 users. Very soon, it surpassed the target. The World Bank and the German external technical assistance organisation - GTZ funded the project. 

With this initial success in the first phase, the World Bank has taken up the new hundred million dollars loan proposal to increase its coverage to new areas and new users. It seeks to increase the number of users by two lakh up to 2010 and the remaining three lakh up to 2015. 

The IDCL sources said the government is taking special interest in the project spending Taka 3,600 as subsidy to encourage new clients to set up a new solar energy production unit.


Clients are also provided with the loan facilities to take advantage of the alternative power supply source at home. Experts said a solar energy unit has an economic life between 30 to 40 years and can be repaired and maintained with spare-parts at a very low cost. 

The demand for solar energy is only spreading in the countryside mainly, because of its low cost and private parties are increasingly putting in places this facility in the rural village markets on commercial scale, helping business to increase working hours and output. 

One Amir Hamza from Sylhet said he had installed a 75-watt capacity solar unit at a cost of Taka 60,000. With this he said he can now use five electricity lights, and run a black and white television, and a radio. 

He said the activities of his family have also greatly expanded as a result of it. His wife can run her swing machine now at night, which was not possible earlier, to increase the family income. 

Statistics show the number of solar energy units at present stands at 16,338 in the Barisal division, 24,484 in the Chittagong division, 20,114 in the Dhaka division, 20,518 in the Khulna division, 14,843 in the Rajshahi division and 13,272 in the Sylhet division.

The Last Solar Word

When no business firm could think about solar business in Bangladesh almost 21 years ago, Rahimafrooz engaged itself in the sector and worked as partner of BP, pioneer in world solar energy business. They are now not only a hardware company, a complete solar solution provider as well. In the implementation phases, names of some NGOs like Grameen Shakti have come forefront, but Rahimafrooz remains the backstage hero. Rahimafrooz: The Solar Leader in Bangladesh.