Accurate Statistics Key to Sustainable Energy Policy

Over the last two decades, a quiet but profound revolution has swept across the global energy landscape, with renewables steadily overtaking our historical reliance on fossil fuels. We are observing a ground-breaking transition in the power and energy sector. Over the last two years, several encouraging policy steps have been introduced. Notably, measures in this year's budget, such as duty exemptions on importing solar equipment, are expected to have a positive impact in accelerating the pace of renewable energy. However, as we move fast toward this solar-powered future, we must confront a fundamental, often overlooked question.

Do we know exactly how much solar power is produced in the country and how much we aim to produce?

The best way to understand the transformation happening in the energy and power sectors is through the availability of authentic data. In our country, this is exactly where a major gap exists�"a lack of authentic data and statistics. Does the government have data on exactly how many units of solar power are produced every day? Currently, neither the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) nor any other government institution has complete information on this.

In its official statistics, SREDA cannot typically publish real-time daily generation data in units or kilowatt-hours (kWh). It primarily publishes data on installed capacity. According to SREDA's National Renewable Energy Database, the country's total installed renewable energy capacity is currently over 1,300 megawatts (the vast majority of which is solar). However, SREDA does not publish any specific daily statistics on exactly how many units (kWh) of electricity are generated from this 1,300 MW capacity each day. SREDA only maintains a list of how many megawatts' worth of panels or systems have been installed, but lacks the technological mechanism to centrally measure how many units of electricity those panels actually generate daily.

The amount of electricity added daily to the national grid (PGCB/BPDB) from Kaptai Solar Park or other large solar Independent Power Producers (IPPs) can be found in the Power Development Board’s daily generation report. However, SREDA does not receive any real-time generation data for the massive number of Solar Home Systems (SHS), solar irrigation pumps, and rooftop solar setups (excluding net-metering) registered in its records. SREDA merely records an estimated figure or capacity.

Where the problem lies
The root cause of this data gap lies in the structural weakness of how we currently measure solar power. Currently, the authority only records data from solar systems connected to the national grid, but even this provides a flawed picture. For entities connected under the net-metering framework, standard utility meters only record the surplus electricity exported back to the grid; they remain completely blind to the significant amount of solar energy that the facility generates and consumes instantly on-site.

Let’s first think about off-grid solar systems. A large number of off-grid solar systems are being used by businesses, factories, and households across the country. Data on the electricity generated from these off-grid systems never reaches SREDA. As a result, the statistics SREDA presents on renewable energy generation represent only a partial picture of the country's actual solar power production.

Technologically, these off-grid users can be divided into two main categories. One group uses direct current (DC) electricity. Some use it by attaching a battery to the solar panel, while others run DC fans or lights directly without a battery. It is impossible to centrally track how many units of electricity this group produces and consumes daily because these basic systems do not have the technological capability to store data.

However, for the second group, those using an inverter with their off-grid system, it is entirely possible to calculate the electricity generated. Even if they are not under net-metering, modern inverters can store data for every unit of electricity produced and consumed. It is time to utilise this potential for accurate data collection. For this, a central monitoring app or software platform needs to be developed, which will be directly connected to these inverters.

A smart, software-driven approach
Capturing the total solar-generated electricity data does not require installing additional physical meters at the facility. Instead, a digital approach can be adopted for both off-grid systems using an inverter and net-metered systems.

By linking the facility's modern solar equipment directly to a central app or dashboard managed by SREDA or the utility companies, all generation data can be synchronised automatically. This creates a unified, software-driven platform that continuously counts every single unit of clean energy produced, regardless of whether it is consumed by the factory or exported to the grid. Inverters equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) or Wi-Fi modules can send data directly to this central app. If such a system is launched, SREDA or the relevant authorities will easily be able to see exactly how much electricity is being generated from solar systems at any given time of day.

Why is bridging the data gap essential?

It is impossible to formulate any sustainable energy policy without accurate statistics. If we cannot determine how many megawatts of electricity are coming from the privately initiated off-grid sector, policy decisions such as national grid demand forecasting or Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will remain flawed. Moreover, presenting accurate data on the country's actual renewable energy generation is crucial for accessing green transformation funds or international climate finance.

The writer is Independent Energy and Power Analyst