Solar energy application: a necessity for Bangladesh
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Syed Jaglul Pasha
Energy issue has become a global concern. Like other countries, Bangladesh also may not find immediate and easy solution to the energy problem. Moreover, with the passage of time the demand for energy in Bangladesh will increase further. From the past experience it appears that there is prevalence of huge gap between demand and supply.
Striving to remove this demand and supply gap, Bangladesh has made significant progress in the renewable energy sector by introducing solar energy systems. Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), Grameen Bank, BRAC and few other NGOs have taken remarkable steps forward in this regard. Grameen Shakti that has installed about 125,000 Solar Home Systems at rural level has opened our eyes. This energy technology might change the life style of the poor people.
There are many solar power driven products available in the world market. Some of these are important for us. Submersible water solar pump can collect 310 litres of water per hour from 230 feet depth. A solar hot water tank can serve for 80 gallon storage. A solar Home System can feed the national power grid with the excess electricity it produces. Houses in California have installed solar panels on their roofs. Recreational vehicles like boats could run on customised solar power systems. UK is a pioneer of this system. A portable solar power system of 1500 watt capacity is also available which is capable of running a standard refrigerator, micro-oven, computer and office equipment. Sign lighting systems lights roads, bill boards and commercial sign boards. The remote off grid system of solar power has tremendous potential. Solar garden light, ground light, post light are usable everywhere and also in rainy conditions. The system like solar area lighting is perfect for park areas, open areas, beaches, pathways, boat docks, parking lots etc. Solar power security camera provides sustainable services from a distance. Portable power generator, laptop charger, solar power oven, solar power watch, solar radio, solar power mobile and solar balloon are interesting products. Research is going with a team of companies like General Motors and Ford to improve the solar car. Pool pumps and heaters that are run by solar power, makes people feel good to be making a difference in the condition of the environment, and it will save money, too.
Solar Home Systems have mainly targeted the rural areas of Bangladesh so the range of products is limited. These can however be expanded to include the solar lantern, solar torch light, solar thermal heater, and solar mobile charger. Small shop owners at rural growth centers, mini poultry farm owners, country boat operators, and police and ansar-VDP forces, Union Parishad Chowkidars could be potential users of solar systems. In urban areas slum people may use these solar products to improve their living condition. Rickshaw puller may have the opportunity to use products like solar lantern in their rickshaws and other products for their households.
In Bangladesh, building and houses located in all metropolitan areas could at least use some of the solar products in lightning their garden, boundary wall, gates and furnish security lights and water heating systems. RAJUK, CDA, KDA, RUK, city corporations, which have a role in approving architectural and structural plans may have a good opportunity to recommend solar energy systems.
There are about 3000 growth centers in the country. If growth centers are lighted with solar applications by LGED it will have a tremendous effect in our agriculture, trade and commerce and thus economic growth. The government can also bring thousands of flood shelters cum schools, 465 Upazilla Chairman's houses, 490 Upazilla Teachers' Resource Centres, 5000 Union Parishad Buildings, 54 Primary Training Institutes (PTI) 3150 colleges, 18700 high schools and 9300 madrashahs under the solar power system.
Moreover, 80,000 primary schools, 2.00 lakh mosques and few thousands rural health centres may have the opportunity to use this energy. Maintenance of solar system could be another opportunity of employment. Customised Technical education courses will build local capacity and help generate rural employment.
There are many islands in coastal areas and remote char areas in Bangladesh. At present, a few islands are using Solar Home Systems in households. The life of the people of Char areas may change dramatically change through solar power. Coastal areas will have similar opportunity.
A lot of initiatives are taken around the world for using solar power. California's Governor has taken a billion dollar solar roof programme to produce 3000 megawatt solar electricity by 2017. European Community and country like U.K. and Germany are taking a lot of initiatives for solar energy. China, Japan and India are not very far from its expeditious implementation. Remarkable research and development (R&D) activities are taking places in many countries. Venture capitalists are investing money in solar technology and business. Nano technologies are coming up to meet the technical needs for sustainable solar power. Scientists, researchers and development agencies are working hard to face the challenges.
Solar energy however will not be very competitive, in the economic sense, in a market dominated by fossil fuels. Despite market factors, solar industry needs government patronage and help to create the right momentum in solar market, and government grants are needed for research in solar technology. Many countries in the world have provided incentives to encourage people to use solar power.
Unlike others, there are, of course, limitations in expanding these solar programmes in Bangladesh. Research & development is not very significant. Initial investment in solar systems is quite high. Moreover there is no complete manufacturing plant yet of solar systems in Bangladesh. These are expensive and susceptible to frequent change of technology. The private sector in Bangladesh may not be attracted enough to establish solar manufacturing plants. Public Private Partnership might provide a solution. We may also think about accessing funds from carbon trading etc. Despite the limitations, the objective conditions are favourable and ready for expansion of solar energy in Bangladesh. All we need are appropriate policy, planning and initiatives, together with Public Private Leadership.
...............................................
The writer is a director (Joint Secretary) Privatization Commission. He can be reached at E-mail: syedjpasha@gmail.com
Energy issue has become a global concern. Like other countries, Bangladesh also may not find immediate and easy solution to the energy problem. Moreover, with the passage of time the demand for energy in Bangladesh will increase further. From the past experience it appears that there is prevalence of huge gap between demand and supply.
Striving to remove this demand and supply gap, Bangladesh has made significant progress in the renewable energy sector by introducing solar energy systems. Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), Grameen Bank, BRAC and few other NGOs have taken remarkable steps forward in this regard. Grameen Shakti that has installed about 125,000 Solar Home Systems at rural level has opened our eyes. This energy technology might change the life style of the poor people.
There are many solar power driven products available in the world market. Some of these are important for us. Submersible water solar pump can collect 310 litres of water per hour from 230 feet depth. A solar hot water tank can serve for 80 gallon storage. A solar Home System can feed the national power grid with the excess electricity it produces. Houses in California have installed solar panels on their roofs. Recreational vehicles like boats could run on customised solar power systems. UK is a pioneer of this system. A portable solar power system of 1500 watt capacity is also available which is capable of running a standard refrigerator, micro-oven, computer and office equipment. Sign lighting systems lights roads, bill boards and commercial sign boards. The remote off grid system of solar power has tremendous potential. Solar garden light, ground light, post light are usable everywhere and also in rainy conditions. The system like solar area lighting is perfect for park areas, open areas, beaches, pathways, boat docks, parking lots etc. Solar power security camera provides sustainable services from a distance. Portable power generator, laptop charger, solar power oven, solar power watch, solar radio, solar power mobile and solar balloon are interesting products. Research is going with a team of companies like General Motors and Ford to improve the solar car. Pool pumps and heaters that are run by solar power, makes people feel good to be making a difference in the condition of the environment, and it will save money, too.
Solar Home Systems have mainly targeted the rural areas of Bangladesh so the range of products is limited. These can however be expanded to include the solar lantern, solar torch light, solar thermal heater, and solar mobile charger. Small shop owners at rural growth centers, mini poultry farm owners, country boat operators, and police and ansar-VDP forces, Union Parishad Chowkidars could be potential users of solar systems. In urban areas slum people may use these solar products to improve their living condition. Rickshaw puller may have the opportunity to use products like solar lantern in their rickshaws and other products for their households.
In Bangladesh, building and houses located in all metropolitan areas could at least use some of the solar products in lightning their garden, boundary wall, gates and furnish security lights and water heating systems. RAJUK, CDA, KDA, RUK, city corporations, which have a role in approving architectural and structural plans may have a good opportunity to recommend solar energy systems.
There are about 3000 growth centers in the country. If growth centers are lighted with solar applications by LGED it will have a tremendous effect in our agriculture, trade and commerce and thus economic growth. The government can also bring thousands of flood shelters cum schools, 465 Upazilla Chairman's houses, 490 Upazilla Teachers' Resource Centres, 5000 Union Parishad Buildings, 54 Primary Training Institutes (PTI) 3150 colleges, 18700 high schools and 9300 madrashahs under the solar power system.
Moreover, 80,000 primary schools, 2.00 lakh mosques and few thousands rural health centres may have the opportunity to use this energy. Maintenance of solar system could be another opportunity of employment. Customised Technical education courses will build local capacity and help generate rural employment.
There are many islands in coastal areas and remote char areas in Bangladesh. At present, a few islands are using Solar Home Systems in households. The life of the people of Char areas may change dramatically change through solar power. Coastal areas will have similar opportunity.
A lot of initiatives are taken around the world for using solar power. California's Governor has taken a billion dollar solar roof programme to produce 3000 megawatt solar electricity by 2017. European Community and country like U.K. and Germany are taking a lot of initiatives for solar energy. China, Japan and India are not very far from its expeditious implementation. Remarkable research and development (R&D) activities are taking places in many countries. Venture capitalists are investing money in solar technology and business. Nano technologies are coming up to meet the technical needs for sustainable solar power. Scientists, researchers and development agencies are working hard to face the challenges.
Solar energy however will not be very competitive, in the economic sense, in a market dominated by fossil fuels. Despite market factors, solar industry needs government patronage and help to create the right momentum in solar market, and government grants are needed for research in solar technology. Many countries in the world have provided incentives to encourage people to use solar power.
Unlike others, there are, of course, limitations in expanding these solar programmes in Bangladesh. Research & development is not very significant. Initial investment in solar systems is quite high. Moreover there is no complete manufacturing plant yet of solar systems in Bangladesh. These are expensive and susceptible to frequent change of technology. The private sector in Bangladesh may not be attracted enough to establish solar manufacturing plants. Public Private Partnership might provide a solution. We may also think about accessing funds from carbon trading etc. Despite the limitations, the objective conditions are favourable and ready for expansion of solar energy in Bangladesh. All we need are appropriate policy, planning and initiatives, together with Public Private Leadership.
...............................................
The writer is a director (Joint Secretary) Privatization Commission. He can be reached at E-mail: syedjpasha@gmail.com