National Parliament to come under solar power within months: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that the National Parliament building will be brought entirely under a solar power system within the next few months.

He made this disclosure during the question-and-answer session of the National Parliament session on Wednesday (September 2) afternoon, while discussing the government's renewable energy policy.

The Prime Minister said, "The government has taken multifaceted steps to address the existing energy crisis in the country and to increase the use of renewable energy. As part of that continuity, the initiative to convert the Parliament building's power system to solar energy will be implemented within the next few months."

Referring to various government plans, he informed that a "National Rooftop Solar Programme" has been undertaken to install solar panels on the rooftops of all educational institutions, hospitals, and government buildings across the country. Specific guidelines for the implementation of this programme have been prepared, and necessary allocations have been given to various ministries, departments, and agencies. He also mentioned that rooftop solar systems have already been installed at the offices of all Deputy Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners across the country.

Highlighting new decisions taken to encourage investment and usage in the renewable energy sector, the Prime Minister said that within the next six months, the government will purchase electricity at Tk 10.50 per unit for the next three years from those who install rooftop solar panels on their homes or establishments.

Announcing tax exemptions in the solar power sector, he said, "Income tax on renewable energy products has already been waived, and taxes on necessary raw materials for installing solar panels in industries have also been exempted. Additionally, the government will arrange loans on easy terms for small entrepreneurs to use solar power, and will also set standards for lithium-ion batteries."