Most of solar systems stop working within just six months in Rajshahi

Between the financial years 2015-16 and 2019-20, the government set alloted five to seven crore taka for each upazila in Rajshahi to install solar systems. Under this plan, a total of 16,546 solar systems were set up across nine upazilas and one thana area in Rajshahi. The total cost for all these installations was around Tk 50 crore. In 2023, checks showed that 8,031 of these solar systems had become completely useless. These systems were provided through the government's Kabikha, KABITA, and TR programmes. 

The promise was that the installing companies would give full servicing and maintenance support for three years under warranty. However, in reality, most of these solar setups did not work properly for more than six months.

The investigation found these numbers of installations in the nine upazilas of Rajshahi and the Boalia thana area of the city: 8,374 solar home systems, 6,983 solar street lights, 258 AC systems, 28 DC systems, and 903 advanced solar stoves. Each upazila spent between five and seven crore taka on these. 

Most of the solar street lights failed to work even for six months. People used these solar lights not only in normal times but also during load shedding. When a solar home system installed in someone's house broke down, some families tried to fix it themselves if they could. But many others, who did not have the money or ability, simply left them unrepaired.

In 2023, Salah Uddin Al Wadud was the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for Rajshahi. He now holds the same position in Dhaka district. He prepared a report that year about which solar systems in Rajshahi district were still working and which were not. According to his report, out of the total 16,546 solar systems, 8,515 were still functioning, while 8,031 had stopped working.

Mizanur Rahman, the Chairman of Nimpara Union Parishad in Charghat upazila, said that the solar home systems did not give good performance at all. Even the street lights did not stay lit for long. The companies that installed them did not come back to check or provide any follow-up service after the work was done. Some people tried to keep a few running on their own efforts.

Abdul Jalil, a former member of Puthia Union Parishad, said, "In our ward, two solar lights were put up at the Samej intersection and two at the Taher intersection. Some of them worked for about a year, while others lasted only six months. After that, they all broke down. No one ever came to repair them."

Mahbuba Akhter, the Project Implementation Officer of Puthia Upazila, said, "These projects were done a long time ago. I do not have clear information about what really happened back then."

In Paba Upazila, 855 solar system panel lampposts were installed at a total cost of Tk4,82,98,950. Each lamppost cost Tk 56,490.

Abul Kalam Azad, Chairman of Pobar Hargram Union Parishad, said that several street lights were installed around the Union Parishad office, but they did not stay working for long. Local people reported the problems to higher officials in the upazila and district many times. However, no real steps were taken to repair or fix them.

Abul Basir, the Project Implementation Officer of Paba Upazila, explained, "The project period ended three years after the installations were completed. After that, the company that did the work no longer has any responsibility. When new funds are allocated in the future, they will install new systems again."

Abdul Hai Sarkar, the current Rajshahi District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, said, different companies connected with IDCOL install these solar panels. They put them in homes, mosques, and temples. The project included a three-year warranty period for servicing. During those three years, the companies were supposed to provide maintenance and repairs. However, he noted that he was not in this position at the time these projects were carried out.