Over 870,000 homes, shops get solar power

Solar home system is getting a niche in the rural life where access to grid power is still a remote possibility, reports BSS. A government project, supported by the World Bank (WB), has so far brought over 870,000 rural homes and shops out of darkness by providing them with solar home system. Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) has implemented the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development (RERED) Project through its partner organisations. The project has also financed a 100 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid in the remote island of Sandwip, and two other biomass based mini-grids. "The solar home systems have changed the face of the remote rural areas of Bangladesh. Access to electricity has many benefits including better quality of life, more time spent by children for study, and opportunities for new village enterprises," a WB press release said Monday. The WB is currently processing a second round additional financing to support another 600,000 new systems on a fast track basis.