Unused solar power sales should be encouraged

FE Team | Published: January 31, 2019 20:15:44

This letter is in reference to a report published in the Financial Express on January 31, 2019 titled 'Rooftop solar power sales growing fast in city'. It is reported that unused solar electricity, generated by consumers on the rooftops of their buildings, are increasingly being sold to government power distribution entities in Dhaka.
As of this month, the number of consumers selling their unused solar power to the government distribution companies stands at 50, according to the latest information at a review meeting at the Power Division. The number was just three in December 2018. This is very encouraging. The purchase of such power is likely to attract more consumers to sell their excess solar power. Additionally, solar power generation will increase, taking the pressure off from the traditionally-generated electricity.
According to the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), the volume of solar power being bought has also increased to 450 KWp in January this year, up from 13.3 Kilowatt peak (KWp) until December last year. Such power is being purchased under the Net Metering System introduced by the government recently. The government introduced the NMS as part of its strategy to encourage the use of green energy across the country in July 2018.
Under the system, any consumer can set up rooftop solar system covering up to 70 per cent capacity of the sanctioned load and sell the additional or unconsumed solar power after meeting his/her demand through a special metre under an exchange arrangement. Consumers will use their own solar power alongside the grid. But on holidays when solar power is not used, they can sell power to the national grid.
At the end of the month, bills will be adjusted on the basis of consumption and sales of solar power to the utilities and the consumer will get payment from the distribution company at a bulk rate if his sale overruns the consumption.
This is a great initiative by the government as it is felt that the government will be able to buy about 10-12 MW power from rooftop consumers as many large clients like industries, apartment complex, shopping malls and hotels have already set up rooftop solar power plants for their own consumption as part of the government policy.
The initiative is part of the government's plan to generate 10 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. There is a target to generate 3,168 MW of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2021 in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Such positive developments should be covered by the media, so as to inform the people in all parts of the country. There are plenty of rural and suburban households who can benefit from this government step.
Akibul Javed,
Indira Road, Dhaka