Rooftop solar power becomes top industry choice: IDCOL

Dependence of various industries on rooftop solar systems is increasing day by day as this low-cost power production project enjoys easy investment access at low interest rates, according to an Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) press release on Monday.

Adequate supply of electricity is one of the most important prerequisites for uninterrupted production at factories to maintain their business growth to the optimum level. So when there is a grid fall, industries depend on various sources like gas or oil-burnt generators to ensure power supply, which is too costly.

On the contrary, solar energy-based power from factory rooftops is very cost-effective and even lower than that of the national grid, but its potential is yet to be fully explored, IDCOL said.

Considering this, the importance of installing solar energy projects on the rooftops of factories is now rising substantially.

Square Textiles Limited, a yarn manufacturing company at Kashimpur, Gazipurhas recently installed a 2.64 megawatt (peak) solar project on the rooftop of their factory to generate electricity from alternative sources for running operation round-the-clock with around 3400 employees in 3 shifts.

Apart from consuming electricity from the national grid, the company depends on 3 types of sources- natural gas, biogas and solar power to meet its annual electricity demand of about 44,443,727 units.

Shah Didarul Islam, assistant general manager (AGM) of the engineering department of the company said, the company’s dependence on solar power nowadays has increased a lot due to cost-effectiveness.

“By using natural gas, power from generator costs Tk 8.15 per unit, while it is about Tk 29.15 from diesel. Cost of power from, national grids about Tk 8.81 in off-peak hours, but the cost of power generated from solar panels installed on the roof is about Tk 6 .50 per unit,” said Didarul.

Kazi Mahmood Un Nabi, AGM of Square Textiles Limited's human resources department said solar power is on top of the list of alternative sources due to scarcity of natural resources and lower production costs.

Mohammad Shaheed Raihan, Deputy General Manager, Production Department, Square Textiles Limited said that this solar project has been playing a special role in ensuring sustainable development and energy security of the organisation. He said that the necessary technical instructions and short-term low-interest loans from Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) ensured uninterrupted power supply in the factory.

IDCOL has provided financial and technical support to Square Textiles Mills Limited for the implementation of this project.