Bangladesh is exploring agrivoltaics as a potential strategy to meet rising electricity demands while preserving agricultural land, critical for feeding its population of approximately 175.7 million people. With per capita electricity consumption remaining relatively low at about 680 kWh, despite near-universal access, the country anticipates significant growth in energy needs aligned with its expanding economy. The Renewable Energy Policy 2025 aims for renewable sources to supply 20% of electricity by 2030 and 30% by 2040, with solar power playing a central role.
However, land scarcity presents a challenge, as agriculture and energy generation increasingly compete for space. Boro rice, which requires irrigation and represents around 55% of the nation’s rice output, underscores the importance of maintaining productive farmland. Agrivoltaics, an approach that entails installing solar panels elevated above crops, seeks to address this issue by enabling simultaneous food production and electricity generation on the same land.
Bangladesh has a history of adapting solar technologies to local conditions. The introduction of the Solar Home System in 1996 spearheaded widespread decentralized solar adoption, with over 6.5 million installations to date. Bright Green Energy Foundation (BGEF), partnered with the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) since 2010, has been instrumental in expanding solar access through more than 325,000 installations nationwide. The country has also developed solar irrigation at scale, operating roughly 3,454 solar-powered pumps with a cumulative capacity near 59 MWp, which irrigate substantial agricultural areas daily.
Rooftop solar capacity has grown as well, reaching approximately 463 MWp across over 5,500 installations. Regulatory adjustments, including expanded net metering provisions and lowered taxes on solar equipment, along with a new feed-in tariff scheme offering Tk10.5 per kWh for surplus electricity from battery-backed rooftop systems, have further incentivized renewable energy deployment.
Building on this foundation, BGEF, in collaboration with the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and supported by the H&M Foundation, is conducting a pilot agrivoltaics project in Ghior, Manikganj. Solar panels are mounted eight feet above the ground, arranged with spacing to allow adequate sunlight for crops beneath. The installation has progressed through phases: initially 37.5 kWp of agrivoltaic capacity with 9.375 kWp of conventional solar, expanding to a total of approximately 97.5 kWp by November 2026, including a new training facility.
The system currently powers two 18.5 kW irrigation pumps for local farmers and supports the project’s operations. The Rural Electrification Board is engaged to facilitate grid integration, allowing surplus electricity to potentially aid ancillary rural services such as cold storage, food processing, and electric cooking. These developments could mitigate post-harvest losses and enhance farmer incomes.
Research efforts accompany the pilot to identify crops best suited to growing under elevated solar panels in Bangladesh’s climate. Dr. Rohini Kamal leads trials comparing growth beneath solar structures against open plots, including crops such as red spinach, coriander, and varieties of rice like BIRD dhan96 and jkl. Dr. Imran Matin of BIGD has contributed expert guidance to refine the research framework. While initial findings are promising, multiple growing seasons will be required to conclusively assess impacts on yields, water needs, and other agronomic factors.
If successful, agrivoltaics could offer Bangladesh a dual-benefit approach that balances food security with renewable energy expansion, contributing to economic development and climate resilience.