Solar Expo seminars recommend easier financing, green bonds and tax incentives
Alongside policy support and incentives, the government is stressing accessible financing to expand the solar power sector. Low-interest loans, local and foreign financing, green bonds and tax and duty incentives have been recommended to raise investment in the sector.
The recommendations came at seminars of the 'Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026', held on Tuesday and Wednesday (November 3 and 4) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
Four specialised seminars were jointly organised by the Power Division and Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) under the theme 'Policy, Manpower and Capital for Bangladesh's Solar Revolution'.
The seminar titled 'Financing the Solar Revolution' recommended combining tax and duty incentives and low-interest loans with local and foreign financing and green bonds to encourage investment. Income from carbon credits, a national hedge system against foreign-exchange risk, and easing strict collateral rules were also discussed.
Other seminars recommended implementing the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026–2030), keeping duty and tax benefits on solar equipment imports, and ensuring grid capacity through battery storage.
Long-term payment guarantees to attract private investment in rooftop solar on government buildings, structural audits of buildings, and building backward linkages for domestic industry were also stressed. Making net metering accessible for homes and factories, ensuring equipment quality, and creating skilled manpower were recommended as well.
Assurance was given that the seminar recommendations would be reviewed seriously and implemented. Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh said the government is sincere about removing any obstacle to the expansion of solar power.
The two-day expo had pavilions and stalls from more than 80 domestic and foreign organisations. More than 500 conference delegates and over 5,000 trade visitors were expected to take part.
