Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has instructed all educational institutions across the nation to progressively install rooftop solar power systems. The initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to boost renewable energy generation and meet national targets for on-grid solar power output.

According to a directive issued by the Secondary and Higher Education Division on 23 September, educational institutions are required to assess their premises and implement solar technology on suitable rooftops and structures. This decision aligns with earlier guidelines established by the Cabinet Division and the Power Division to scale up solar energy consumption across public sector establishments.

To facilitate the rollout, institutions have been provided with two implementation frameworks:

• The OPEX Model: Financing through private sector investment, where external vendors build and maintain the infrastructure.

• Self-Financed Model: Direct capital expenditure funded by the institution’s own internal resources.

This directive marks a significant extension of the government’s clean energy roadmap. Transitioning key administrative facilities to renewable power has already gained momentum, with solar installations previously launched or planned at prominent sites, including Bangabhaban, the Cabinet Division, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Planning Commission, and the Finance Division. Expanding the initiative to the education sector aims to dramatically increase the national capacity for renewable energy while alleviating pressure on the conventional power grid.

The decision arrives amidst growing efforts in Bangladesh to diversify its energy mix away from fossil fuels. Educational campuses, possessing expansive rooftop surface areas and regular daylight operational hours, present an ideal foundation for decentralized power generation. By integrating solar technology into schools, colleges, and universities, authorities anticipate both a reduction in institutional electricity costs and a steady supply of clean energy fed back into the national grid.

Through this phased implementation, the Ministry aims to instill environmental responsibility within academic environments while making a substantial contribution toward the country’s long-term sustainability goals.