Latest news with #rooftopsolar
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Bangladesh orders solar panels installation on public buildings to tackle energy woes
DHAKA, June 26 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's interim government directed authorities on Thursday to install solar panels on roofs of government buildings, including schools, colleges, and hospitals, in a push to generate clean energy and curb reliance on costly fuel imports. Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which took charge after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quit and fled the country in August amid widespread protests. The interim government has struggled to stabilise the power sector due to growing demand and financial constraints. Yunus' directive came during a meeting of the 'National Rooftop Solar Program', held against the backdrop of a worsening energy crisis driven by volatile global fuel prices. Officials at the meeting cited a 2024 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, which showed Bangladesh lagging far behind its regional peers in solar energy adoption. While solar power accounts for 24% of electricity in India, 17.16% in Pakistan, and 39.7% in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh generates only 5.6% of its electricity from solar sources, according to the report. To bridge this gap, the government has already floated tenders for 55 land-based solar power plants with a combined capacity of 5,238 MW. However, those projects are not expected to come online before 2028. Yunus instructed agencies to adopt rooftop solar systems that can be implemented quickly and encouraged a private investment model under which companies would install and maintain solar panels on public buildings, using rooftop space provided by the government. "The institutions won't have to pay electricity bills and can earn rent from their rooftops," Yunus said. The International Monetary Fund approved a $1.3 billion disbursement to Bangladesh this week from a $4.7 billion bailout package the country sought in 2023 amid dwindling foreign exchange reserves and rising import costs following a surge in commodity prices triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Shams Dubai rooftop solar capacity reaches 725 MW across 8,430 buildings
The Shams Dubai initiative has connected over 725 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity spanning more than 8,430 buildings to the emirate's distribution grid, according to a press statement issued by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Shams Dubai allows household and building owners to install PV panels for solar energy generation while connecting to DEWA's grid. The DEWA statement said the initiative is supported by 'Hab Reeh', an interactive smart platform that facilitates self-assessment of solar PV designs, streamlines application processes, and reduces approval times and costs. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) said in 2024, the platform processed over 1,700 solar connection requests, marking a 30 percent year-on-year increase. The platform also offers users access to a database of more than 150 approved solar energy components from international manufacturers, along with flexible design options, he noted. Earlier in June, DEWA had announced that 111 companies have been enrolled to engage in the design and implementation of Shams Dubai projects. (Writing by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Entrepreneur
23-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Govt Launches INR 2.3 Crore Innovation Challenge to Boost Rooftop Solar Adoption
The competition offers a total prize pool of INR 2.3 crore. The top three winners will receive INR 1 crore, INR 50 lakh, and INR 30 lakh respectively, while ten additional startups will each be awarded INR 5 lakh as consolation prizes You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a push to accelerate India's transition to clean energy, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a INR 2.3-crore startup innovation challenge aimed at fostering new technologies in rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy systems, as per PTI. Announced on Saturday during the national conference on Skill Development for the Renewable Energy Workforce, the initiative seeks to attract early-stage ventures working on scalable solutions in green tech and related sectors. According to a statement from the ministry, the "Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge on Rooftop Solar (RTS) and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Technologies" is designed to identify high-impact innovations that can speed up the adoption of decentralized solar energy systems across the country. The challenge is being implemented under the aegis of MNRE, with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) providing technical support, and StartUp India—under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)—coordinating outreach and engagement efforts. The ministry said startups from a diverse set of industries including green technology, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain, construction, energy hardware, fintech, and waste management are eligible to apply. The goal is to tap into a wide innovation pool to address operational, financial, and technical barriers in the rooftop solar ecosystem. The competition offers a total prize pool of INR 2.3 crore. The top three winners will receive INR 1 crore, INR 50 lakh, and INR 30 lakh respectively, while ten additional startups will each be awarded INR 5 lakh as consolation prizes. Beyond the financial incentives, selected startups will receive incubation support, access to pilot project implementation, and mentorship from experts and investors associated with MNRE and NISE. "The challenge aims to identify and support breakthrough solutions for India's rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy ecosystem," the MNRE statement noted, emphasizing the ministry's intent to catalyze innovation that can be deployed at scale. With rooftop solar capacity still underperforming relative to targets, the challenge is expected to drive fresh momentum in a sector seen as critical to meeting India's renewable energy goals.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Quiet town beating the rest of Australia in big national race: 'Saving $6000 annually'
As Australia pushes to cut carbon emissions and reduce household bills, electrification has emerged as a key focus — from the cars we drive to the way we power our homes. But while rooftop solar is booming, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and fully electric homes remains modest. Nationally, just 2.7 per cent of vehicles on Australian roads are electric, according to the Electric Vehicle Council. While over 10 per cent of new cars sold are now electric, that figure still trails the UK (17 per cent), Germany (19 per cent) and Norway (over 80 per cent). At the household level, gas is still widely used, and many homes are poorly equipped to make the switch. Advocates argue the future of EVs in Australia looks bright, but in a quiet corner of Victoria's Bass Coast, one community has already quietly surged ahead, offering a glimpse of what a fully electrified future could look like. At The Cape, a purpose-built sustainable estate in Cape Paterson, more than 30 per cent of households now own an electric vehicle. Every home is powered without gas, using rooftop solar and passive solar design principles, and achieves an average eight-star NatHERS energy rating — well above the national average of 6.2 stars for new builds. "More than 30 per cent of households have an EV," Director and resident Brendan Condon told Yahoo News Australia. "Homes are 100 per cent electric with no gas connections, powered by rooftop solar, and designed using passive solar principles. This community-wide commitment to electrification, from the grid to the garage, makes [us] a national front-runner and an insight into the future of a fully electrified Australia." The estate comprises 230 residential lots, with about 140 homes completed and over 250 residents. More than 95 per cent of EV charging is done at home, helping cut costs and reduce strain on the wider grid, particularly in a regional area where public charging infrastructure remains limited. "Even in regional areas, most trips are local or to nearby centres like Wonthaggi and Inverloch, which are well within EV range," Condon said. "A round trip to Melbourne is under 300 kilometres, which is easily achievable by numerous long-range EVs now on the market." The Cape also challenges the notion that electric living is the preserve of wealthy inner-city enclaves. While upfront costs are still a barrier, residents claim long-term savings. Condon says homes that pair solar with energy-efficient design and an EV can save upwards of $6,000 annually. Once fully built, the community is projected to save more than $1 million a year. "These are 'super bill-busting' homes," he said. "That money stays in household budgets and bank accounts, which is significant in the current cost-of-living crisis." Experts agree that electrifying homes and vehicles is essential to meeting emissions targets. The Climate Council estimates that switching to solar and electric could save households $3,000 to $5,000 a year and cut domestic emissions by up to 42 per cent. It also supports energy independence and grid resilience by decentralising power generation. Still, challenges remain. Critics point to the cost of EVs and the difficulty of retrofitting older homes. There are also concerns about supply chains, mineral dependency for batteries, and whether the national grid is ready for widespread electrification without major upgrades. Empty Bunnings shelves sparks major change theory Plea to electric car owners ahead of expected 'hottest summer on record' Driver spots Tesla in shocking highway act: 'Licence revoked' But Condon believes communities like his show what's possible when sustainability is designed from the ground up. With the federal government introducing a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard in 2025 and aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, more neighbourhoods may follow suit. "[We're] a real-world blueprint," he said. "It shows how communities can decouple from expensive fossil fuels and thrive — creating zero-emissions, climate-resilient neighbourhoods that aren't just imagined, but built." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Entrepreneur
17-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Dugar Finance Secures USD 3 Mn to Expand EV and Rooftop Solar Financing
The fresh funds will be deployed to scale Dugar Finance's electric vehicle (EV) and rooftop solar financing initiatives across tier-II and tier-III cities in India. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Dugar Finance and Investments Limited has secured USD 3 million in debt funding from Swiss-based Symbiotics Investments, through its USD 75-million Green Basket Bond backed by British International Investment (BII). The funds will be deployed to scale Dugar Finance's electric vehicle (EV) and rooftop solar financing initiatives across tier-II and tier-III cities in India. Founded in 1987 in Chennai by Ramesh Dugar and Sonali Dugar, Dugar Finance is a Reserve Bank of India-registered Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). It offers vehicle financing, mortgage loans, loans against property (LAP) for SMEs, and specialised green financing products. With over 30 branches across six states, the company focuses on underserved, credit-invisible populations—having served more than 25,000 customers to date. "This capital infusion is more than just a financial commitment—it's a strong endorsement of our efforts to drive clean energy access and uplift small businesses at the grassroots level," said Ramesh Dugar, Founder and Managing Director. "With the support of Symbiotics and BII, we are better equipped to scale our EV and rooftop solar financing solutions across India's heartland—where such innovations are both needed and transformative." Dugar Finance claims to have already enabled over 1,200 customers to install rooftop solar systems and adopt EVs, resulting in nearly 3,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided and annual electricity cost savings of INR 2.96 crore. Its customer-centric approach supports residential households, MSMEs, and housing societies, empowering them to embrace cleaner energy and mobility solutions. With this latest funding, Dugar Finance aims to deepen its mission of combining financial inclusion with sustainability, helping India transition toward a greener and more equitable economy.
