With the World Bank celebrating the success of a solar home system installation program which has provided electricity to an estimated 20 million people, an NGO has floated a near-$12 million environmental investment which could drive further PV capacity.

The government’s clean power department has signed a co-operation agreement with a major clothing industry trade body in a bid to drive net-metered solar rooftop installation.

A leaked letter apparently sent by a diplomatic official states Beijing will no longer consider coal-related investment in Bangladesh, firing speculation that policy could be applied along all of the vast twin trade routes.

Having fallen far short of its ambition to generate 10% of its power from renewables by last year, Dhaka is preparing to reformulate its national clean power target.

Ib Vogt and its local partner are facing protests from farmers who claim a planned 207-acre PV project site will destroy their livelihoods by occupying fertile fields.

Bangladesh-based Beximco Group has said it will raise nearly US$400 million in Islamic bonds to finance two solar PV power plants totaling 230 MW in the country’s northern districts.

As it prepares to lift the nation out of its list of the world’s least developed countries, the supranational body said the country should turn its back on coal and other fossil fuels.

The government will add modules and inverters to the list of imported products which must meet minimum standards. Charge controllers and batteries are already subject to such requirements.

The Bangladeshi government is focusing on the development of solar and wind power as it seeks to boost renewable energy generation in the country. Clean energy proponents say the strategy will lead to lower government subsidies for electricity generation.

The new financing scheme is aimed at helping factories to upgrade, acquire renewable energy-related machinery and technology and increase environment-friendly production in an effort to achieve sustainable development goals.