The present scenario of solar home systems (SHSs) and future utilization in Bangladesh

Abstract

As a country of acute power crisis, Bangladesh is now looking forward to develop its renewable energy sources. This paper presents the state of the art of the solar energy technologies being used presently and future utilization in Bangladesh. This paper emphasizes that are liable, affordable and secure supply of energy is important for socio-economic development. Solar energy may help a lot in achieving sufficiency in electricity specially in rural areas. It is known from different sources that only 75% population have access to electricity in Bangladesh and nearly 75% of the population is rural and only about 30% of the rural households have access to grid electricity. The rural areas are not often feasible for conventional grid-based electrification due to high investment and running costs. The Infrastructure Development Company Ltd recently states that the number of solar home systems (SHSs) in Bangladesh (April 2016) is 3.9 million. As a result, more than 25 million people are benefitted from solar electricity.