A qualitative analysis of the solar rooftop scheme in Bangladesh under NEM guidelines

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

In 2010, Bangladesh enacted rules mandating rooftop systems for consumers seeking to join the grid system for new domestic, industrial, and commercial electricity connections. After a decade, the first net metering policy was launched with further revisions of policies aimed at widening the adoption of rooftop solar systems. However, rooftop solar systems have not been widely adopted despite the introduction of several supportive policies and incentives. This study aims to conduct a qualitative analysis of the existing solar rooftop scheme in Bangladesh investigating the specific deficiencies and asymmetries hindering its wide-scale adoption and future growth. It adopts a qualitative research design comprising semi-structured interviews and archival data. The findings reveal that several significant obstacles hinder the widespread adoption of rooftop solar energy in Bangladesh, such as high import duties, insufficient financial incentives, obsolete grid infrastructure, lack of robust financial and business models, insufficient product quality standards and testing facilities, and inadequate public awareness. Based on the findings, proposed policy revisions aim to enhance the scalability of rooftop solar energy adoption. • This study uses a qualitative research design to explore Bangladesh's transition to RTS. • An inductive thematic analysis was performed comprising semi-structured interviews and a review of archival data. • Current policies are in conflict with the wide-scale adoption of RTS. • Demand aggregation by facilitating utility-led models can boost the adoption of RTS. • Public-Private Partnerships provide an effective model for scaling rooftop solar solution in Bangladesh.