The proposal outlines assessments, pilot projects and financing options for solar installations across campus buildings, positioning Dhaka University as a possible clean energy model.
A Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader at Dhaka University has called for an integrated rooftop solar project aimed at increasing on-campus electricity generation and feeding surplus power into the national grid as part of a plan to make the university an energy-self-reliant, green campus.
Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim submitted a memorandum outlining the demands to Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof ABM Obaidul Islam on Thursday morning. JCD leaders and activists from several residential halls were present during the handover.
The memorandum said expanding the use of renewable energy has become a national priority amid Bangladesh’s growing electricity demand, concerns over energy security, power generation costs and the impacts of climate change. It identified solar power as an environmentally friendly, long-term energy solution.
It proposed establishing the “Dhaka University Rooftop Solar & Green Energy Project” by using rooftops of academic, administrative and residential hall buildings across the campus.
The project would initially seek to meet the university’s daily electricity demand of approximately 8.5 megawatts, with any surplus power supplied to the national grid through net metering or grid-connected systems.
The proposal calls for implementation in phases, beginning with a comprehensive “Solar Potential Assessment” examining the structural capacity of buildings, available rooftop areas, electricity consumption patterns and potential grid connections.
The findings would be used to prepare a “Dhaka University Solar Master Plan”, followed by pilot solar projects on technically suitable buildings with high electricity consumption before the programme is expanded across the campus.
According to the proposal, the project could reduce long-term electricity expenditure, develop environmentally friendly infrastructure and turn the university into a “Living Laboratory” for education and research in areas including smart grids, carbon reduction, energy storage and renewable energy economics.
For financing, the memorandum suggested considering Green Financing, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and ESCO/OPEX models alongside government allocations.
“A successful rollout at Dhaka University could serve as a national model for other educational institutions, hospitals, and public facilities, turning the university into a clean energy producer rather than just a consumer”, the memorandum read.
Those present during the memorandum handover included Dhaka University JCD Joint General Secretary Mousumi Sheikh, Sports Secretary Saif Ullah, Ziaur Rahman Hall Convener Jahidul Islam, Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall Convener Hasibur Rahman Asif, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall Convener Maliha Binte Avanti Khan and Sir AF Rahman Hall Senior Joint Convener Mehedi Hasan Munna.
Associate Sports Secretary Saadman Shakib Biswas Mahir, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall Joint Conveners Sakhawat Hossain and Raja Aminul Haque Obi and Masterda Surja Sen Hall Joint Convener Ashraful Islam were also present.
