Our initial goal: set up a 3-10 MW solar power

generation unit
Buy side info
Who will be the buyer? Bangladesh government? Can we sell to a cluster of
factories located in the same vicinity using PDBs distribution poles and lines? Will
the government allow us to sell privately to these factories?
Bangladesh Government will only buy after tendering process. We have to wait for
tenders.
Using PDBs existing poles will depend upon the PDB incharge of that area, they
may allow or disallow. There is no official process for such arrangement.
We can sell to private companies or individual houses, government have no
restriction or rules against selling privately.
What does it take to sign up the government as a buyer? Do we have to participate
in a bid? Or does the government have some other process?
We have to participate in a bid. There is no other process.
How much will a buyer govt or private sector pay for one unit of electricity if we
can offer continuous power supply 24 by 7?
Place where there is electricity will not generally buy solar because its very
expensive. If we plan to sell in areas where there is electricity then we have to
compete with the government price which is around Tk.6 kW/h.

Assistance
What kind of incentives does Bangladesh Govt offer? Tax breaks? Subsidies? Is
there a guideline document?
Government incentives for companies setting up solar plants include a 15-year tax
holiday and exemption from paying import duty on equipment.
Foreign investors get exemptions on royalties, technical knowhow, technical
assistance fees and facilities for their repatriation of profits. Foreigners working in
solar energy projects need pay no income tax for the first three years of their stay
in this country.
Govt. has exempted income tax for next 5 years from commercial production from
RE.

Any existing group that we can work with? A group with experience/connection.
Connection with banks, government and other relevant entities. Experience in
importing materials, building facilities.

Miscellaneous
Is there any large scale solar power generation project? If there is, how can we get
more details on them who theyre selling to for how much? Who is the local entity
managing this operation? How did it get funded? Any foreign partner? Any details
on the project would be helpful.
Solar Product and service provided by GS (Grameen Shakthi, a sister concern of
Grameen Bank) are in use in many rural areas
Rahimafrooz is selling solar equipments in rural areas of Bangladesh.
PDB:
1. PDB, REB and IDCOL are distributing Solar Home System (SHS) to the people
living in the off-grid areas. IDCOL through different NGO has already distributed
1.0 million SHS throughout the country.
2. PDB has already installed nearly 11 KW solar power to the CHT area, nearly 230
W solar power in Angorpot and Dahagram Chitmahal Area and installed 115W at
their office building.
3. Solar PV with capacity of 21.2 KW has been installed at the Hon'ble Prime
Minister's office as a demonstration programme.
4. Nearly 10MW solar plant will be installed by PDB in Sarihabari (2-4 MW),
Rigional Training Office, Rajshahi (1 MW), Rajabarihat, Godagari (2-4 MW) in IPP
model. Preparation of tender documents is underway.
5. Power plant in combination with 1MW solar hybrid system along with 5MW by
diesel, will be set up in Hatia island. 5MW Solar PV plant will be installed in
Kaptai . Some roads of six City Corporation areas will be replaced by Solar
Street lights. Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting these projects.
6. REB has taken project for Solar Irrigation System. 40 irrigation pumps will be
brought under solar power under this project.
7. PDB has undertaken a project in a remote area Sullah to provide 600kW solar
power under Climate mitigation programme.