Magura engineer sells rooftop solar power to national grid

A young engineer in Magura has set a remarkable example of green energy production by meeting his own electricity needs and selling surplus solar power to the national grid.

Engr Md Akhtaruzzaman, son of Abu Taher Mondal of Kechuadubi village under Sadar Upazila, installed solar panels on his rooftop three years ago out of his passion for technology and renewable energy. A part of the generated power runs his firm, Saleha LPG Station. He feeds the remaining power into the national grid.

Akhtaruzzaman started supplying power to the national grid through net metering in December 2023. He set up nine BSTI and SREDA-approved solar panels. Each panel has a capacity of 550 to 630 watts. He spent about Tk 1.84 lakh on the project.

The system produces around 4.9 kilowatts of electricity daily. An on-grid inverter connects the power directly to the Magura Palli Bidyut Samity grid. He meets 40 per cent of his firm's power needs and supplies an average of 700 units of extra electricity to the grid every month.

He sells each unit for Tk 11.45. This earns him around Tk 7,350 per month. The initiative cuts his business expenses and creates a new income stream.

"Renewable energy is vital for our future. Anyone can take small steps to meet their own power needs and contribute to the nation. I learned about this from a teacher and started working on it three years ago," Akhtaruzzaman said.

Local youths now visit him to learn about solar power installation and net metering. They view his success as an inspiration for new entrepreneurs.

Md Rezaul Karim, Deputy General Manager of Arpara Zonal Office under Magura Palli Bidyut Samity, praised the effort. He said adding solar power to the national grid helps the government fight power shortages.

Experts said expanding rooftop solar projects is crucial for sustainable energy security. Akhtaruzzaman's model shows how individual efforts can strengthen the national power grid.

-MEA/SA