Many building owners in Bangladesh first hear about rooftop solar when the electricity office asks for it. Since December 2025, solar is a condition for many new connections and load increases. This guide explains who must comply, how much solar is needed, and how to do it properly.
Updated October 2026 · Written and reviewed by the Frostec Solar Powers engineering team
- Buildings with at least 1,000 sq ft of roof usable for 20 years must install rooftop solar when applying for a new net-metering connection.
- Industrial and commercial consumers with an approved load of 10 kW or more must install solar of at least 20% of the approved load.
- Residential single-phase consumers, and industrial or commercial loads below 10 kW, may install solar voluntarily.
- Existing consumers who increase their load must add solar for the additional load.
- You may install up to 100% of your permitted load — often the better financial choice.
What does the rule say?
A revised Power Division circular reported on 21 December 2025 took effect immediately and replaced the previous circular. It links rooftop solar to the Net Metering Guidelines 2025. In summary:
| Consumer type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Building with ≥ 1,000 sq ft of roof usable for at least 20 years, applying for a new net-metering connection | Rooftop solar must be installed |
| Industrial / commercial, approved load ≥ 10 kW | Solar capacity of at least 20% of the approved load |
| Industrial / commercial, load below 10 kW | Optional |
| Residential, single-phase | Optional |
| Educational institutions, hospitals, charities (single-phase) | Optional; the National Rooftop Solar Programme policy may apply |
| Existing consumers increasing load | Solar sized to the additional approved load |
| Maximum allowed | Up to 100% of the permitted load |
How much solar do you need? Worked examples
- Garment workshop, 250 kW approved load: minimum 20% = 50 kW of solar.
- Shopping building, 60 kW approved load: minimum 20% = 12 kW.
- Office adding 40 kW of load: solar sized to the additional 40 kW under the guidelines.
Will it fit on your roof?
With modern 600–625 W panels and proper walkways and edge clearances, a rooftop array typically needs about 65–100 sq ft per kW, depending on obstacles such as stair rooms, water tanks and parapet shading. As a guide:
- A fully usable 1,000 sq ft roof can usually hold about 7–12 kW.
- A 50 kW system needs roughly 3,250–5,000 sq ft of usable roof.
Roof strength, waterproofing and wind uplift must be checked before installation. Our article on the hidden engineering behind a rooftop array explains what a proper layout includes.
Turn compliance into savings
A system installed only to “get the connection” is a missed opportunity. Daytime commercial electricity costs about ৳13.82 per unit at the off-peak rate, and factories and offices use most of their power during sunny hours.
Example: a 50 kW rooftop system produces about 50 kW × 3.8 units × 365 days ≈ 69,000 units a year. If almost all is used on site, that is worth about ৳9.5 lakh a year. At an indicative turnkey rate of ৳32 per watt, the investment is about ৳16 lakh — a simple payback of under two years, before maintenance and degradation.
That is why we usually recommend sizing to the roof and the daytime load, not just to the 20% minimum. Compare ownership and third-party models in CAPEX vs OPEX, and see our Industrial Rooftop Solar and Commercial Solar services.
What the utility will check
- A net-metering application submitted online at nem.powerdivision.gov.bd.
- Equipment that meets BSTI and SREDA standards.
- Correct protection, earthing and a bidirectional meter.
- A commissioning report and inspection before export begins.
If the system includes battery storage and is installed by 28 February 2027, surplus exports may also earn Tk 10.50 per unit — see our incentive guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rooftop solar mandatory for new buildings in Bangladesh?
Under the Power Division circular of December 2025, buildings with at least 1,000 sq ft of roof usable for 20 years must install rooftop solar when applying for a new net-metering connection. Residential single-phase consumers may install it voluntarily.
How much solar must a factory install?
Industrial and commercial consumers with an approved load of 10 kW or more must install solar of at least 20% of the approved load. A 250 kW factory therefore needs at least 50 kW.
How much roof space does 1 kW of solar need?
Typically about 65–100 sq ft per kW including walkways and clearances, depending on panel size, obstacles and shading.
Can I install more than the minimum?
Yes. The Net Metering Guidelines 2025 allow solar up to 100% of your permitted load, which usually gives better savings.
What if I increase my load on an existing connection?
Existing consumers who increase their load must install rooftop solar for the additional approved load under the Net Metering Guidelines 2025.
Need Solar for a New Connection or Load Increase?
We size the system to the rule and to your roof, prepare the documents your distribution company needs, and show you the savings beyond compliance.
Questions? Call or WhatsApp +880 1805-208117 or email info@frostecsolarpowers.com. Figures in this article are indicative and approximate; final values depend on your site survey, design and the manufacturer terms of the equipment supplied.
