Govt announces incentives for rooftop solar with batteries

The government has announced a special incentive package for rooftop solar power systems with batteries, offering consumers Tk 10.50 per unit for surplus electricity supplied to the national grid.

Customers who install eligible systems by February 28, 2027, will receive the incentive, according to a notification issued by the Power Division on Tuesday.

The government has set the maximum cost of generating each unit of electricity through rooftop solar systems with batteries at Tk 8. Including a 20 per cent profit margin and an 11.25 per cent premium, the purchase price for electricity supplied to the grid has been fixed at Tk 10.50 per unit.

Under the net metering guidelines, the incentive will remain available for three years. Electricity supplied from systems installed by February 28, 2027, will receive the Tk 10.50 per unit rate until February 28, 2030.

If a consumer installs a solar power system at a cost lower than the government-set Tk 8 per unit, the savings will also be considered part of the consumer's profit.

The incentive payments will be transferred to consumers' bank accounts every three months rather than paid in cash. Systems installed after February 28, 2027, will not qualify for the facility.

The notification also requires solar panels, batteries, inverters, meters and other equipment used in the systems to comply with technical standards set by BSTI and SREDA.

Consumers will receive assistance through a one-stop service centre and offices of electricity distribution agencies at district and upazila levels.

sks