Strategy for promotions and development of renewable technologies in Bangladesh: experience from Grameen Shakti

Abstract

This paper discusses experiences from the renewable energy program of Grameen Shakti (GS), which is aimed to provide energy to rural areas. GS has already passed 3 years in marketing solar home system in rural Bangladesh. Within this short period, GS gathered a lot of experience in marketing the solar home system. Up to July 1999, GS had sold 1147 solar home systems and the installed capacity was 53.3 kWp. Customers use these systems for various purposes like, lighting houses, shops, offices, watching TV, operating computer and so on. The systems are functioning well. Some of the customers have enhanced income through PV systems by extending working hours and selling power to neighbors. There are various obstacles for expansion of PV program in rural Bangladesh, the main barrier being the high cost of PV module. To make the system affordable, customers need easier financing scheme. GS offers easier financing terms to the customers so that they can afford solar home system.