Applications of Solar PV on Rural Development in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper focuses on the prospects and problems for application of Solar PV (photovoltaic) on rural development in Bangladesh. Few private entrepreneurs, REB (Rural Electrification Board), LGED (Local Government Engineering Department) and few NGOs are working for installation of Solar PV in rural Bangladesh for meeting the basic energy needs. The application of PV technology for rural electrification is indirectly increasing the income as well as the living standard of rural poor. There is also positive linkage between application of solar PV and meeting the objectives of MDGs. The basic applied forms of Solar PV in rural Bangladesh are SHS (Solar Home System) and Micro-Utility (electrification of rural markets). Feedback from the users of the systems indicates that solar energy based electricity has been providing very satisfactory service to the consumers.