Finance Minister unveils Walton Solar Ecosystem

Bangladesh’s leading technology giant Walton has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable industrial development by introducing an integrated solar energy ecosystem aimed at expanding renewable energy use, improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and promoting environment friendly manufacturing.

The newly unveiled Walton Solar Ecosystem integrates solar power generation, energy storage, electricity supply to the national grid and the operation of household electrical and electronic appliances through a comprehensive solar-based technological system.

As part of this initiative, Walton has established rooftop and floating solar power projects at its manufacturing facilities, achieving a combined solar power generation capacity of 32 megawatts (MW), which the company says is equivalent to the total electricity demand of a large district town in Bangladesh.

A substantial portion of the electricity generated is used in Walton’s manufacturing operations, helping reduce energy costs. In addition, the company supplies approximately 1,150 megawatt-hours (MWh) of solar electricity annually to the national grid through the net metering system.

Beyond generating environmentally friendly solar electricity, Walton has developed and manufactured a wide range of solar-compatible and energy-efficient products, including solar panels, inverters, batteries and household appliances for air conditioning, food preservation, entertainment, cooking, lighting and laundry.

The Walton Solar Ecosystem was officially unveiled on Saturday at a ceremony held at Walton Corporate Office in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury attended the event as the chief guest and formally inaugurated the integrated solar technology initiative.

Among those present were Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC Chairman SM Shamsul Alam, Vice-Chairman SM Ashraful Alam, Managing Director SM Mahbubul Alam and Directors SM Rezaul Alam, SM Monjurul Alam Ovee and Tahmina Afrose Tanna.

Following the inauguration, the finance minister visited the Walton Solar Ecosystem exhibition and inspected various products, including solar panels, solar power cables, energy storage inverters and batteries, solar hybrid refrigerators, air conditioners and smart televisions, as well as solar-powered washing machines, electric cookers, ovens, rice cookers, BLDC fans, solar-based pedestal and table fans, LED bulbs and street lights.

The minister expressed satisfaction after learning about the advanced technologies and energy-saving features of these products.

He particularly appreciated Walton’s efforts to introduce hybrid air conditioners, refrigerators and smart televisions capable of operating through a combination of solar power and conventional grid electricity, creating new opportunities for energy savings.

Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “Solar power is an environmentally friendly source of electricity. What Walton is doing with solar technology is something that is expected to expand across Bangladesh. Over the next one or two years, the country is expected to generate a substantial amount of electricity from solar energy. This will help meet people’s electricity needs at lower costs.

“Solar power will also reduce our dependence on imported fuels, save valuable foreign currency and strengthen our energy independence. Solar energy can be used not only for lighting but also to operate refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, ovens and a wide range of other electronic appliances. We hope people across the country will increasingly adopt solar energy solutions,” the finance minister added.

Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC Chairman SM Shamsul Alam said, “The Walton Solar Ecosystem will play an important role in helping customers reduce electricity bills, expanding the use of renewable energy, lowering carbon emissions and contributing to the development of a greener and more self-reliant Bangladesh.”

Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC Vice-Chairman SM Ashraful Alam said, “The Walton Solar Ecosystem is an integrated technological solution that combines environmentally friendly solar power generation, energy storage and electricity supply to the national grid with our capability to manufacture solar-powered household appliances.

“This initiative will create new business opportunities for Walton. Our objective is to further strengthen the company’s financial capacity and fundamental business position while creating sustainable, long-term value for investors in the capital market,” he added.

Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC Managing Director SM Mahbubul Alam said, “The Walton Solar Ecosystem is an integrated technological framework for generating, storing and efficiently utilizing solar electricity. Our ambition goes beyond ‘Made in Bangladesh’. We want to innovate and develop advanced technologies in Bangladesh and demonstrate the country’s technological capabilities in the global market.”

He further expressed the view that Walton’s development and manufacturing of renewable energy-based, environmentally friendly technological products under its Solar Ecosystem initiative would take the technological excellence, progress and capabilities of Bangladesh’s high-tech industry to new heights.

Officials at the event explained that Walton’s Solar Ecosystem incorporates hybrid technology that enables air conditioners, refrigerators and smart televisions to operate using solar electricity. Under sufficient sunlight conditions, compatible Walton hybrid refrigerators, air conditioners and smart televisions can run directly on solar power without requiring battery storage.

When the available solar electricity is insufficient to meet the appliances’ power requirements, the system automatically draws the additional electricity needed from the national grid. This hybrid operation allows consumers to reduce grid electricity consumption depending on solar power availability.

Walton has also integrated new models of washing machines, electric cookers and ovens into its Solar Ecosystem through Energy Storage System (ESS) technology.

Electricity generated by solar panels during the day can be stored in batteries and used later for various household activities. The integrated energy storage system can support the operation of washing machines, electric cookers, microwave ovens, rice cookers, BLDC fans and other household appliances.

Walton’s inverter and battery systems incorporate both solar and AC charging facilities, allowing batteries to be charged using either solar electricity or conventional grid power.

As part of the Walton Solar Ecosystem, the company has introduced an intelligent backup power supply system in its new Takyon e-bike models. Equipped with a smart, environmentally friendly and multipurpose energy solution, the advanced battery technology can transform an e-bike into a mobile energy storage system. This innovation combines electric mobility, solar energy storage and emergency backup power supply capabilities in a single integrated solution.

Walton has also introduced specialised photovoltaic (PV) solar cables designed to ensure safe and reliable electricity transmission within solar energy systems. These cables are engineered to withstand ultraviolet (UV) radiation, moisture and challenging environmental conditions. Featuring flexible tinned copper conductors and specialised insulation materials, Walton’s solar cables are designed to provide safe, durable and long-lasting electrical connections for solar power installations.