Local solar module makers seek special protection from govt

Local solar module manufacturers demanded special protection from the government Thursday by imposing customs duty on import of such items for the sake of flourishing the local industry.

They also urged the government to formulate a time- betting policy for the sector.

They said the Tk 2.0 billion domestic companies had already been affected for allowing import of low-graded solar modules despite having the local solar module manufacturers' adequate capacity to meet the local demand.

President of Solar Module Manufacturers Association of Bangladesh (SMMAB) Tanjil Chowdhury demanded this at a press conference to achieve self-reliance in solar power sector by using local solar panel at the National Press Club in the city.

SMMAB General Secretary and Greenfinity Energy Ltd Managing Director Golam Baki Masud, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd Managing Director Munawar Misbah Moin and Electro Solar Managing Director Ansar Uddin were present, among others, at the press conference.

Tanjil Chowdhury, also Radiant Alliance Ltd Managing Director urged the government to impose 20 to 25 per cent customs duty and supplementary duty as well on the import of the solar panel with a view to discouraging its import.

He also demanded 20 to 30 per cent cash incentive on the export to facilitate growth of the local environment- friendly green energy industry.

The local manufacturers also demanded bank loan facility at 4 to 5 per cent interest rate for this potential industry.

Bangladesh is an energy- hungry country where there are huge potentials of renewable energy amid scarcity of the primary fuel gas for producing electricity.

Mr Chowdhury said the country's yearly demand for solar power is now 60 megawatt. Although nine local manufacturers can produce solar modules with a capacity of 80 to 100 megawatt (MW) of electricity, but their market supply is being affected by the low-graded imported modules.

"If the government does not give protection to the local manufacturers and frame a time-befitting policy, the country's vision of installing 6.0 million solar panel by 2017 will go in vain," he added.

Around 3.5 million homes and establishments have been connected with the solar panels across the country.

The solar panel manufacturers also demanded a sophisticated lab for testing all solar modules before marketing those to ensure supply of quality products in the country.

Shourabangla Solar Director Shamim Chowdhury said there is no international standard testing lab for the solar module in Bangladesh.

"Until setting up of a standard lab, the government can utilise our industry labs for testing the products," he said.

In response to a question, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd Managing Director Munawar Mishbah Moin said if the government sets up a world-class testing lab in Bangladesh, frame a policy and ensure special protection to the local industry they could earn lot of foreign exchange through exporting solar products from Bangladesh.

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