Big Bangladesh Businesses Turn to Solar Power, Generate Over 600MW From Factory Rooftops

☀ Big industrial groups in Bangladesh are rapidly turning to solar power, with rooftop solar units with a combined generation capacity of more than 600MW already installed at various industrial establishments, according to a report by Prothom Alo English on August 26, 2026. Most of these installations are at export-oriented garment factories.

📊 IEEFA Report: 667MW Estimated

A report published on August 4, 2026, by the US-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) provides the most comprehensive assessment of Bangladesh's rooftop solar capacity:

• 📊 Government data: 418.1 MW (as of June 2026)
• 📊 IEEFA estimate: 667 MW at 239 establishments
• 📊 Including sub-0.15MW units: Potentially ~1,000 MW
• 📈 Growth has contributed to slight decline in daytime power demand
• 📰 IEEFA report date: August 4, 2026

🏢 Leading Companies Adopting Solar

Major industrial groups that have already installed solar power units include:

• 🏢 DBL Group — 5.5MW installed, planning 16MW more
• 🏢 PRAN-RFL Group — 35MW at 20 factories, planning 100MW+
• 🏢 Akij Bashir Group — 75MW total, adding 28MW more
• 🏢 Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) — 64.84MW installed
• 🏢 Abul Khair Steel, Walton, Ha-Meem Group
• 🏢 BSRM, Youngone Group, Pacific Jeans Group
• 🏢 Team Group, Rising Group, Urmi Group, Microfiber Group
• 🏢 Palmal Group, Apex Footwear, Karnaphuli Shoe Industries
• 🏢 Masco Group and others

💰 DBL Group: Solar Investment Details

DBL Group, one of the country's leading industrial groups, has installed solar power generation units with a combined capacity of 5.5MW on the rooftops of seven of its garment and textile factories. The group plans to install 16MW of solar power capacity at 10 more factories, including ceramic and garment factories. Of this, 8MW is expected to come into operation this year and the rest next year.

DBL Group Vice Chairman MA Rahim told Prothom Alo: "We are investing rapidly in solar power because of energy security concerns at our various establishments and pressure from foreign buyers to reduce carbon emissions. With new technologies, solar power installation now takes less time than before. The cost of rooftop solar power at our factories is Tk 6 to Tk 6.50 per unit."

• 💰 Current capacity: 5.5MW at 7 factories
• 📈 Planned: 16MW at 10 more factories (8MW this year)
• 💲 Cost: Tk 6-6.50 per unit
• 🤝 Drivers: Energy security + foreign buyer pressure on carbon

📊 PRAN-RFL Group: 100MW+ Ambition

PRAN-RFL Group plans to generate more than 100MW of solar power from the rooftops of its various factories. It is already generating 35MW at 20 factories. At least another 30MW could be added this year. Two of its factories are already supplying electricity to the national grid.

• 📊 Current: 35MW at 20 factories
• 📈 Target: 100MW+
• 🔍 Adding 30MW this year
• 🌏 2 factories supplying national grid

📊 Akij Bashir Group: 75MW + 28MW More

Akij Bashir Group is generating a total of 75MW of electricity from rooftops. A 21MW generation capacity has been developed at its Janata Jute Mills, which now meets 100 percent of its electricity demand from rooftop solar. A 13MW solar power unit with an 8MW battery system has been installed at Akij Glass's factory in Habiganj, allowing nighttime electricity supply. Work is underway to add another 28MW of capacity.

• 📊 Total: 75MW
• 📈 Adding: 28MW more
• 🏢 Janata Jute Mills: 21MW (100% of demand met by solar)
• 🔋 Akij Glass Habiganj: 13MW + 8MW battery (nighttime supply)

📊 MGI: 64.84MW Across Factories

Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) has installed solar power units with a combined generation capacity of 64.84MW on the rooftops of its various factories, including Meghna Ceramic Industries in Ashariarchar, Sonargaon, Narayanganj. This meets around 5 percent of the group's electricity demand.

☁ Energy Crisis Context

The shift to solar comes as Bangladesh faces a severe energy crisis. Gas shortages have halted production at over 100 factories. The Finance Minister has stated the crisis will take two years to resolve. LNG import costs have doubled compared to pre-war rates. The S Alam SS Power plant has received special LC permission to import coal despite loan defaults.

• ⚠ 100+ factories halted due to gas shortages
• 📅 Energy crisis: 2 years to resolve
• 💰 LNG costs doubled vs pre-war rates

👕 Impact on RMG Sector

Most rooftop solar installations are at export-oriented garment factories. Solar power meets 5-15 percent of a factory's total electricity demand, helping keep factories operational for 3-4 hours during grid outages. This has reduced pressure on the national grid during daytime hours.

• 👕 Most installations at RMG factories
• 📊 Solar meets 5-15% of factory demand
• 📅 Keeps factories running 3-4 hours during outages
• 🌏 Reduces daytime grid pressure

🌏 Foreign Buyer Pressure

International buyers, particularly from the EU and US, are increasingly demanding that suppliers reduce carbon emissions. This pressure, combined with energy security concerns and rising fuel costs, has driven the rapid adoption of rooftop solar in Bangladesh's industrial sector.

☀ The shift to rooftop solar by Bangladesh's biggest industrial groups represents a significant step towards energy self-sufficiency and sustainability. With IEEFA estimating capacity could reach 1,000MW, solar is becoming a critical component of Bangladesh's industrial energy strategy amid the ongoing energy crisis.