Amid severe electricity shortages in the country, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) estimates that around 2,815 megawatt-peak (MWp) of solar power could be generated from the rooftops of ready-made garment and textile factories.

It also recommended unified green financing, faster regulatory approvals and cluster-based investment models to accelerate rooftop solar adoption in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector and attract Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI).

The recommendations were made at the Fifth Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum titled “Industrial Rooftop Solar in RMG Sector: Investment Potential for Chinese FDI” at BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium in the capital on Thursday.

CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem moderated the event, while CPD Research Associate Abrar Ahammed Bhuiyan and Programme Associate Noor Yana Jannat presented the study findings.

The study recommended that IDCOL and other financiers establish blended green financing facilities combining concessional loans at 5-7% with Chinese green investment capital to extend loan tenors and improve the bankability of rooftop solar projects.

For the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), it proposed establishing a dedicated bilateral facilitation desk and fast-tracking incentives for member factories partnering with vetted Chinese engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies.

The study also recommended that the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) develop cluster-based investment models by pooling small and medium-sized knitwear factories in industrial hubs such as Narayanganj into consolidated multi-megawatt portfolios to attract Chinese renewable energy service company (RESCO) investment.

It also recommended that the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) ensure faster and more predictable interconnection approvals.

Industry associations were urged to raise awareness among non-adopter factories by arranging visits to factories that have already installed rooftop solar systems, particularly Chinese-owned factories.

In his speech, Moazzem said “we would like to see greater development of industrial rooftop solar. In particular, we discussed the potential of the garments sector, but we would also like to see rooftop solar expanded across other industries beyond garments.

Thursday’s discussion highlighted a number of small but significant challenges. Individually, these may seem minor, but collectively they are holding back investment and initiatives in this sector. We need to find ways to remove these barriers.

“Creating a 10-year ‘window’ to simplify all administrative issues related to rooftop solar could achieve massive growth in renewable energy generation over this period,” he added.