All Rural Markets Ordered to Install Solar Power by January 31

The Local Government Division has directed that solar power systems be installed at all rural markets in every union of all upazilas across the country by January 31, 2027. It has also instructed authorities to add batteries where necessary to increase power generation and take steps to supply surplus electricity to the national grid.

The Local Government Division sent the instruction to administrators and upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) of all upazila parishads on Thursday (September 24). They were asked to take the necessary measures to implement the projects within the deadline and ensure the effective use of the solar power systems.

According to the directive, solar power systems must be installed based on the size of permanent sheds at each rural market and the rooftops of four- to five-storey buildings constructed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The electricity generated will first be used to meet the respective rural market’s own demand. Any surplus electricity must then be supplied to the national grid.

The government has taken initiatives to increase the use of renewable energy and ensure sustainable energy security. As part of this initiative, solar power systems with batteries have also been ordered for the rooftops of existing government office buildings and other facilities under the Local Government Division at the local, district and upazila levels. These systems must have at least two hours of battery backup.

The directive said that after meeting the institutions’ own electricity demand, surplus power generated by the solar systems may be supplied to the national grid through the net metering system.

According to a recent decision by the Power Division, rooftop solar systems with batteries installed within the specified period and used to supply surplus electricity to the grid may receive Tk 10.50 per unit. According to relevant information from the Power Division, this benefit will remain applicable until February 28, 2030, for systems installed by February 28, 2027.

The Local Government Division believes that supplying surplus electricity to the grid through net metering will increase the share of renewable energy in the national power supply system. At the same time, it could increase revenue for the relevant local government institutions. This would create additional funds for the development and maintenance of haat and market infrastructure.

Under the rural market (Establishment and Management) Rules, 2025, 10 percent of the lease revenue from rural markets is allocated for the maintenance or development of the respective rural market, while another 10 percent is allocated for the maintenance or development of rural markets within the upazila. The rules were published in the official gazette on October 6, 2025.

The Local Government Division has instructed authorities to use these allocated funds properly to install solar power systems at rural markets and expand them commercially where necessary. This will create an opportunity to increase the use of renewable energy at the local level without putting additional pressure on government funds.

The directive also requires long-term maintenance agreements with companies that install the solar panels. For this purpose, authorities must sign agreements with the relevant companies on non-judicial stamps for the repair and maintenance of the solar power systems for the next 20 years.