Solar Expo showcases power-saving technologies

Nearly 100 local and international companies are showcasing the latest solar technologies and products at the first Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026, offering visitors an opportunity to explore renewable energy solutions for homes, businesses and industries.
The two-day exhibition began on Tuesday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka, drawing visitors interested in rooftop solar systems, battery storage and other technologies that could help reduce electricity costs.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the expo on Tuesday, with Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood chairing the opening ceremony.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources  Anindya Islam Amit, Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh also attended.
Products on display include solar panels, inverters, battery energy storage systems, portable power solutions and integrated solar installations for residential and industrial use.
Company representatives are demonstrating the technologies and explaining their capacity, installation costs and potential savings.
Speaking at the Omera Solar stall, Omera Renewable Energy Ltd Chief Executive Officer Masudur Rahim said the exhibition was a timely initiative to promote solar energy in Bangladesh.
He said government duty exemptions and net metering facilities, which allow consumers to supply surplus electricity to the national grid, were encouraging investment in rooftop solar.
According to him, a five- to six-storey residential building on a five-katha plot could have 1,500-2,000 square feet of usable rooftop space, enough to install a 15-20 kilowatt solar system.
Such an installation would cost approximately Tk6-8 lakh and could generate 60-65 units of electricity daily, or around 1,800-2,000 units a month.
At current electricity tariffs, the system could save households Tk25,000-27,000 in monthly electricity costs, he claimed.
Surplus electricity generated during the day can be supplied to the grid through net metering or stored in batteries for use at night.
Masudur said solar panels generally last 25-30 years, while inverters and other components may require replacement after five to 10 years.
Omera has completed more than 120MW of rooftop solar projects across Bangladesh, while a typical 15-20kW installation takes around 10-15 days, he added.
Huawei South Asia Digital Power Business Development Manager Md Ishtiaq Ahmed said the company was expanding its presence in Bangladesh’s solar inverter and battery storage markets alongside its telecommunications and information technology operations.
Huawei equipment has been used in a 100MW solar project with Paramount, a 52MW solar plant in Mymensingh and several industrial facilities, he said.
He noted that battery storage technologies were creating new opportunities for industries, while residential rooftop solar remained a largely untapped market.
At the Greenery Energy Solution Ltd stall, Divisional Sales Manager Md Mizanur Rahman said the company supplied solar panels and implemented projects of various sizes.
Working with brands including Leso and Trongvi, the company also offers itel portable energy storage systems.
It has introduced three portable storage models for household use and is currently implementing a 1MW battery storage project, he said, adding that visitors had shown strong interest in the products.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) officials stressed the importance of matching solar installation capacity with consumers’ approved electricity loads and using quality equipment.
DPDC Executive Engr (Renewable Energy) Mohammad Foyez Karim said consumers seeking net metering facilities must first check their approved load and obtain additional approval if necessary.
Applications must be submitted online through the designated electricity distribution portal. DPDC currently reviews applications and issues preliminary approval within two days, he said.
After installation, consumers must apply again for inspection. The distribution company then verifies the quality of panels, inverters and other equipment before installing a bidirectional metre.
The metre records electricity consumed from the grid and surplus solar power supplied to it. Accounts are settled every three months, with eligible payments made for electricity exported to the grid.
The entire process can be completed within a month if installations proceed promptly, Karim said.
The Power Division, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) jointly organised the exhibition.
Held under the theme “Make every inch of rooftop useful, increase income through solar power”, the event also features four seminars on rooftop solar expansion in government buildings, residential and industrial applications, energy security, employment and private investment.