Bangladesh sets solar import standards
Complaints about sub-standard, cheap PV imports from China – and notably, India – have been heeded by Dhaka, which has issued a requirement for modules, inverters, charge controllers and batteries to attain IEC electrical standards.
Bangladeshi government will renegotiate solar tariffs for projects which miss deadlines
Officials in Dhaka frustrated by the lack of progress on several PV projects have decided to punish tardy developers by setting new power prices which reflect the falling costs of solar project development.
Bangladesh nears net metering policy for solar irrigation pumps
Firming up the payment system for solar energy exported back into the grid from PV-powered pumps will offer owners a new revenue stream, eat into a $1 billion annual diesel fuel bill and reduce strain on the grid by up to 1.5 GW daily during the agricultural season.
Bangladesh extends incentive scheme for domestic solar industry
PV manufacturers receive 10% of the value of their exported products as an incentive and the nation’s central bank has extended the program to cover this financial year. Bangladesh’s solar manufacturers have called for more, however, and point to more generous schemes to the west.
Bangladeshi solar mini grids threatened by fossil fuel commitments
In racing to provide access to electricity to all its citizens, the government has commissioned extensive coal, gas and nuclear generation capacity and the solar sector fears an ever-expanding national grid will kill the business case for solar in previously off-grid areas.
ACWA Power plans 3.6 GW of new fossil fuel capacity in Bangladesh
Renewables may be making encouraging advances in the south Asian nation but the natural gas infrastructure deal announced today by the Saudi power company at a stroke eclipses the 375 MW of solar capacity in Bangladesh and its 609 MW development pipeline.
Bangladeshi industrial sector embraces leasing model for solar rooftops
The affordable public financing packages on offer for solar rooftops are attracting developers who have clients happy to lease out roofspace without any capital outlay in order to secure cheaper power.
Sub-standard PV equipment worries Bangladeshi solar developers
Visitors to this year’s Solar Bangladesh Expo have called for the implementation of quality standards on solar imports – action which the government is currently pursuing – with one industry insider rubbishing Indian-made products.
Exhibitors in Dhaka upbeat about solar future
Getting on for 300 international exhibitors are attending the Solar Bangladesh Expo in Dhaka which opened today and runs until Saturday. pv magazine’s Syful Islam is walking the floors and hearing optimistic messages.
Ib vogt partnership wins bid for 50 MW solar plant in Bangladesh
The German project developer beat rival Scatec Solar to land the contract for a facility which will sell solar electricity to the Bangladeshi government for $0.1094/kWh for 20 years.
