Survey finds 47% of home solar systems failing across Bangladesh

A joint survey by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Bengali daily Samakal has found that 47 percent of household solar power installations in Bangladesh are no longer functioning, raising concerns over the sustainability of the country’s renewable energy programmes.

The survey shows that many systems installed under government and donor-backed initiatives have stopped working due to poor maintenance, limited technical support and weak monitoring mechanisms.

Household solar projects were introduced to reduce dependence on the national grid and promote clean energy, particularly in rural areas. They were initially seen as a success in expanding electricity access.

However, the findings suggest that substandard equipment, insufficient user training and fund mismanagement have reduced their effectiveness.

Families affected by non-functioning systems have been forced to rely again on unstable grid electricity or costly alternatives such as diesel generators, increasing household expenses and undermining confidence in solar power, the survey found.

Energy experts in the survey stressed the need for stronger quality control, regular inspections and better community-level training to help households maintain their systems. They also highlighted the importance of transparent financial management to prevent misuse of funds.

The survey notes that while Bangladesh has set ambitious clean energy targets, failures in implementation and accountability could weaken public trust in renewable energy initiatives. The findings are being seen as a warning for the solar sector and a call for stronger oversight and engagement.