Govt. asks marketplaces to install solar panels by 31 January

The government has directed authorities concerned to ensure installation of solar panels in market places across the country and supply the surplus power to the national grid by 31 January, next year, officials said here today.

Local government division officials said the directive was issued two days ago saying every hats bazaars up to the union level must install the solar systems to meet their own requirement.

“The surplus electricity, generated by the solar panels, will be supplied to the national grid through the net metering system,” the local government division circular issued on Thursday, said.

It said the solar power systems must have a minimum battery backup of two hours.

The existing offices and other buildings under departments, agencies and institutions of the local government division across the country must also install the solar systems on their rooftops.

According to the circular the government appointed upazila parishad administrators and upazila executive chiefs of UNOs would have to implement the order by the first month of 2027 taking required measures.

It said the solar panels could be installed using funds allocated from lease revenues of haats and markets in accordance with sub-rules (3) and (5) of Rule 10 of the Haat and Bazar (Establishment and Management) Rules, 2025.

The officials said the order issued to reduce dependence on fossil fuel crunch and it was part of the government plan to promote renewable energy to ensure sustainable energy security.

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They said the arrangement would also create an opportunity for increased revenue earnings for local government institutions since the Net Metering Guideline, 2025, suggested the solar system installers would receive Tk10.50 for each unit of electricity supplied to the national grid.

The circular instructed authorities to take initiatives to commercially expand solar power systems using 10% of the lease revenue allocated for maintenance or development of the respective haats and markets.

The directive also instructed the authorities to sign agreements on non-judicial stamps with the companies installing the solar panels for repair and maintenance for the next 20 years, ensuring long-term maintenance of the installed systems.