Solar power could be best alternative to resolve power crisis
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Is there any easier way to get over the country's vexing power crisis? Experts say yes there is. They believe solar power system can be the best option to mitigate the worsening problem, reports UNB.
"Solar power system has a bright prospect in Bangladesh, but the country's potential still remains untapped simply for lack of proper government initiative," said Grameen Shakti Managing Director Dipal Chandra Barua.
Dipal Barua said 50 per cent people of the country could be brought under power supply network through solar power system within the next seven years if the government wants to do so.
Experts think that the country's vast rural areas can easily be brought under solar power system, minimising the mounting pressure on the national power grid.
Dr Md Rashed Chowdhury, a faculty of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii, USA said that solar power system could make a big difference, especially in rural areas of Bangladesh, in resolving its chronic power crisis.
"Another alternative is nuclear power system, which is relatively more expensive but achievable," said Dr Rashed, also Principal Research Scientist of the Pacific ENSO Applications Centre (PEAC).
"The rural areas of Bangladesh can be brought under this service very quickly and efficiently. There is a perfect environment in Bangladesh for solar water heating. As the sun shines most of the day here, we don't have to worry about freezing. It's relatively less expensive and our local utility supports the purchase and installation of solar systems. All we need is to have a bill passed making it mandatory for all new homes to have solar water heaters," Dr Rashed said.
He suggested that at this initial stage, rebates and solar tax credit system would encourage people to accept this system quickly. "Given the socioeconomic choices and constraints in Bangladesh, the government should think about it seriously."
Grameen Shakti MD, who has 13 years of experience in the field, said the price of solar panels had come down on the global market recently which will help people get it at lower prices.
"The government has decided to withdraw tax on equipment of solar panel but it's yet to be implemented. Once it is implemented, people will get solar panel at minimum costs," he said.
"Solar power system has a bright prospect in Bangladesh, but the country's potential still remains untapped simply for lack of proper government initiative," said Grameen Shakti Managing Director Dipal Chandra Barua.
Dipal Barua said 50 per cent people of the country could be brought under power supply network through solar power system within the next seven years if the government wants to do so.
Experts think that the country's vast rural areas can easily be brought under solar power system, minimising the mounting pressure on the national power grid.
Dr Md Rashed Chowdhury, a faculty of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii, USA said that solar power system could make a big difference, especially in rural areas of Bangladesh, in resolving its chronic power crisis.
"Another alternative is nuclear power system, which is relatively more expensive but achievable," said Dr Rashed, also Principal Research Scientist of the Pacific ENSO Applications Centre (PEAC).
"The rural areas of Bangladesh can be brought under this service very quickly and efficiently. There is a perfect environment in Bangladesh for solar water heating. As the sun shines most of the day here, we don't have to worry about freezing. It's relatively less expensive and our local utility supports the purchase and installation of solar systems. All we need is to have a bill passed making it mandatory for all new homes to have solar water heaters," Dr Rashed said.
He suggested that at this initial stage, rebates and solar tax credit system would encourage people to accept this system quickly. "Given the socioeconomic choices and constraints in Bangladesh, the government should think about it seriously."
Grameen Shakti MD, who has 13 years of experience in the field, said the price of solar panels had come down on the global market recently which will help people get it at lower prices.
"The government has decided to withdraw tax on equipment of solar panel but it's yet to be implemented. Once it is implemented, people will get solar panel at minimum costs," he said.