ZCZC
BSS-03
SOLAR-CHARGING-SYSTEM (with picture)
Solar charge system starts gaining popularity in Rajshahi
By Dr Aynal Haque
RAJSHAHI, Dec 11, 2020 (BSS) – Commercial solar charging system has started gaining
popularity as many people are getting benefits from the modern system in the region
including its vast Barind tract for the last couple of years.
In line with the system, success has been attained in the solar charging system installed
around two and half years back here experimentally aims at lessening the gradually
mounting pressure on electricity.
Auto-rickshaws are being given charges at a cost-effective rate through the solar charging
system creating hope among the auto-rickshaw drivers and owners in Damkura area under Paba
Upazila in the district.
Launched as a model the project has been meeting up power deficits side by side generating
hope among the public in general.
Apart from charging auto-rickshaw, the solar system has also operated an auto-rice mill
that also created a positive impact among the surrounding people in Chabbishnagar area
under Godagari Upazila.
The solar power charging stations were installed with technical and financial support from
Rajshahi Palli Bidyut Samity (RPBS).
At Damkura, 66 solar panels with 320 watt pick capacity were installed on 2000 square-feet
rooftop space of a multi-storied dwelling house generating 70 to 90 kilowatts power
everyday on an average.
RPBS installed the system at a cost of Taka 48.5 lakh.
Shafiqul Islam, owner of the house, told BSS that he has earned Taka 19,000 after charging
auto rickshaw during last three months.
He expected that the monthly earnings will rise in future. The house-owner gets fifty-
percent of the profit share as per contract signed between the two sides.
“We will be capable of charging 15 auto-rickshaws everyday in the days to come instead of
the present five to six ones,” he said. Apart from this, power can also be supplied to
households and business establishments in limited scale from the generated power system.
As an eco-friendly and cost-effective venture in the area the charging station will play a
vital role to charge the rickshaw batteries instead of using any grid power.
Thirty seven panels with capacity of 320 watts pick have been installed on 1000 square-
feet area in an automatic rice mill at Chabbishnagar area at a cost of Taka 5.5 lakh
generating power from 40 to 45 kilowatts every day.
Solar power has brought a social change in many hard-to-reach villages under Char
Ashariadaha Union Parishad (UP) in Godagari Upazila.
Although there are problems with food and healthcare services the villages have become
enlightened with uninterrupted electricity generated from solar panels. The power also
brings many positive changes to the living and livelihood condition of the villagers in
many ways.
Solar power user Rahmat Ali of Char Bhubanppara said he could not even think about
electricity an era ago though it has become a reality as the villagers there can avail of
this facility.
Installation works of solar home system in 6,240 off-grid char (riverbed) households in
Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts are going on in full swing aimed at bringing the
hard-to-reach families under solar power network within the shortest possible time.
The development works are being implemented in Char Mazar Diar and Char Khidirpur villages
under Paba Upazila and Char Asariadaha village under Godagari Upazila in Rajshahi district
and Char Alatali village under Sadar Upazila in Chapainawagonj district.
Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) Limited has started implementing the solar
home system installation works through the Infrastructure Development Company Limited
(IDCOL) since September 21 last, said Yeaseer Arafat, Executive Engineer of NESCO.
Each of the beneficiary families can use four three-watt bulbs, two nine-watt fans, one 18
watt television and mobile phone charger through the 65-watt capacity solar home system,
he added. “We are very much hopeful about completion of the works by this yearend”, he
opined.
Similarly, solar home systems will also be installed in 6,212 other off-grid households of
Hatibandha and Kaligonj Upazilas in Lalmonirhat district. Implementation works of the
scheme are likely to start soon and complete until December next.
Engineer Arafat said the NESCO is committed to attain the present government’s target
‘Sheikh Hasina’s Uddyag, Ghore Ghore Bidyuth’ alongside the hundred percent
electrification within the current Mujibborsho.
BSS/SPL/AH/RY/11:40 hrs