Universities to decide on rooftop solar installation based on capacity: Amit

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said on Monday that public universities will independently decide whether to install rooftop solar power systems based on their individual needs, capacity and ground realities, with the government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) providing necessary support for implementation.

The state minister made the remarks at a discussion meeting on installing solar power systems at 31 public universities, organised by the UGC at its office in the capital’s Agargaon.

He said the government was working to prevent a repeat of the power shortages and public suffering experienced during the current summer.

The government has set a target of generating 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power next summer to keep power shortages at a tolerable level. Rooftop solar systems are being considered one of the easiest and most effective ways to achieve the target, he added.

Amit said a policy to expand solar power use had been formulated within just two months. The policy could be revised if necessary based on feedback from relevant stakeholders.

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Highlighting the potential for universities to earn carbon credits through solar power use, he said the Power Division would assist them in obtaining carbon credits in recognition of reduced carbon emissions.

One carbon credit represents the reduction of one tonne of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Such credits can also be sold after completing the required verification and certification processes, he added.

The state minister also announced that a “Bangladesh Solar Expo” would be held in the capital on 3 and 4 November to promote solar power use in the country.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said the meeting was organised to clear existing confusion over solar power installations at universities and gather opinions from relevant stakeholders.

He said the UGC had already conducted a survey on the issue and formed a team to assess the feasibility of implementing the initiative.