The government has decided to bring changes in the existing building code making installation of solar panels on top of high-rise buildings mandatory to reduce dependency on conventional power sources, officials said.
The power ministry has been given the task to recommend necessary changes in the building code to accommodate the provision of mandatory use of solar panels in buildings.
"We have already asked the power cell to formulate a guideline and incorporate the issue of mandatory use of solar panels in high rise buildings instead of normal glass sheets," power secretary Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan told the FE.
He said setting up of solar panels will reduce electricity consumption in high-rise buildings and help utilise the solar power.
"Initially, the installation cost might be higher. But in the long run it will benefit the building owners as they will not have to pay any bill for consumption of renewable energy," the power secretary said.
Against the backdrop of nagging electricity crisis the caretaker government is trying every option to augment power generation.
Tapping of potentials for utilising renewable energy sources is among the latest of such initiatives, power ministry officials said.
The power ministry has already started working to formulate the country's first ever renewable energy policy to woo further investments in the sector.
The power cell is now preparing the draft of the renewable energy policy that will help boost electricity generation from renewable energy sources.
Currently, the country's total power generation is hovering around 3,500 MW against the estimated demand for over 5,000 MW every day.
The share of renewable energy in total electricity production is very nominal and even less than 1.0 per cent, power ministry officials said.
The consumption of renewable energy is limited to people living in remote areas, thanks to assistance given by several private and non-government organisations.
These organisations have taken up various renewable energy projects utilising solar, wind, biogas for households and commercial purposes, especially in remote areas.
However, the change in the building code and adoption of the renewable energy policy will help smooth growth and expansion of renewable energy projects not only in urban areas but across the country, the power ministry official said.
