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230000 homes get solar power

By Mizan Rahman

    DHAKA:

Millions in Bangladesh are taking to solar power to light up theirhomes at night.

    Officials said, over 230,000 rural households in Bangladesh havebeen brought under the solar power system in last five years by theInfrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL).

    Executive Director of IDCOL, a company under the Ministry ofFinance, Ehsanul Haque yesterday told newsmen that they aim toinstall 1mn Solar Household Systems (SHSs) solar panels by 2012 tohelp government achieve its target of providing electricity to allby 2020.

    SSHS system, containing photo voltaic panels, battery, chargecontroller, solar lamp and switch, is a convenient mode for supplyof power for small electrical loads such as lights, radio, cassetteplayers and black and white TV, he said.

    Although only available for a few hours in a day, the SHSsprogramme has positively changed the rural economy, he said.

    SNow they are using SHS for income-generating activities andworking hours have been increased for small businessmen, weavers,tailors, hair dressers, and makers of handicraft items, IDCOLchief said.

    In addition, the use of TV and radio has enhanced rural people"saccess to the outer world. Many women opined that they were feelingmore secure at night after installing SHSs, Ehsanul said.

    IDCOL has been implementing the solar electrification programme inremote areas far from the power grid since 2003 through 15 NGOs andMicro Finance Institutions (MFI) including Grameen Shakti and BRACwith the financial support of different development partners.

    World Bank and KfW (German development financing bank) haveprovided $51mn and 9.68mn euro respectively as loans while GlobalEnvironmental Facility (GEF), KfW and GTZ (German technicalcooperation agency) gave $4.8mn, 4.6mn euro and 2.7mn eurorespectively as a grant for the programme, IDCOL sources said.

    Among the SHSs providing NGOs, Grameen Shakti makes the lion"sshare of solar panels produced in the country.

    SSo far, we have installed 170,000 solar panels with an averageper month installation rate of 8,000 panels and it is beingincreased at a fast pace, Head of International Cooperation andDevelopment Department of Grameen Shakti, Dr M S Islam said.

    NGOs are providing a wide range of Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) panelsfrom 30 watts to 120 watts. A 50 watt PV panel can run four LEDlights and one black and white television, he added.

    The price for the whole SHS system including PV, battery, wire andother accessories ranges between 21,000 taka and 70,000 taka andconsumers can purchase a solar home system for cash or get credit.

    SRecently, we started producing a 10-watt panel costing 8,500taka targeting the poorest families, he said. SA 10-watt panelcan run two to three lights.

    To get credit, a customer has to pay a minimum ten to 15% of thetotal cost as down payment. The rest can be paid within two to fiveyears.