The solar net metering system (SNMS) is gaining more popularity across the country as users, in addition to their own benefits, also enjoy rebates on total electricity bills.
A total of 974 SNMS with the capacity of 15.2 megawatt (MW) of electricity have already been installed, and there is an upward trend. The SNMS enables surplus electricity produced from solar power to regulate and direct (surplus) electricity to the national grid.
A Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) official said, the government published a net metering guideline in July, 2018.
Net Metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the national grid. When solar power is not used by the house owners during holidays or long-term absence at home or for other reasons, the solar electricity can still be sold to the national grid.
The bill is adjusted at the end of every month on the basis of the electricity contributed to the national grid produced from solar.
Under the system, the consumers, who use electricity from the grid can set up a rooftop solar system, covering up to 70 percent capacity of the sanctioned load and can adjust their bills through an exchange arrangement by a special meter. This system will save a large amount of electricity on the subscriber’s electricity bill.
Dipal Chandra Barua, President of BSREA and also a member of SREDA told Bangladesh Post, “The net metering system is a good initiative to promote the use of renewable energy. Under this system consumers and government both will be benefited. We can generate at least 2,000 MW of electricity by 2021 from solar irrigation pumps and rooftop solar panels alone. By doing so, the goal of generating electricity from renewable energy within the next year will be achieved effortlessly.”
“Besides, RE Projects that can be implemented, like floating solar power plants, solar- diesel hybrid mini cold storage, electrification of primary/secondary schools through renewable energy, electrification of rural areas with street lights and so on,” he added.
According to latest statistics of SREDA, six state-owned power distribution companies -- Power Development Board (PDB), Rural Electrification Board (REB), Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDC), and Northern Electricity Supply Company Ltd (NESCO) -- purchased solar power from 95 consumers and the capacity was 2.267 MW in July.
However, only 36 SNMS with a capacity of 0.301 megawatt (MW) solar system were installed in five months due to Coronavirus.
BREB is buying 9.623 MW of unconsumed solar electricity from its 191 consumers, BPDB 1.083MW of solar power from 207 consumers, DPDC 1.752 MW of electricity from 200 consumers and DESCO 1.384 MW from 223 consumers. Meanwhile NESCO is buying 0.638MW from 22 consumers and WZPDC, 0.74 MW from 133 consumers.
The government has taken various initiatives to enhance generation of renewable energy as part of its efforts to ensure energy security keeping carbon dioxide emissions at a low level.
The government has set a target to increase renewable energy generation to 2,000MW, 10 percent of the total generation, by 2021 and to 6,000MW by 2041.
Bangladesh is now generating 647.51 MW of electricity from renewable sources.
Government officials say the price of electricity will come down if the target is achieved.