The knowledge-sharing session on Sun and Soil: Exploring Agrivoltaics in Bangladesh, led by Dr Rohini Kamal (BIGD) and Mr Mohaimenul Islam (BRAC University), provided updates on the Sustainable Business Model for the Agrivoltaic Pilot Project in Bangladesh and the proposed system design. The project — jointly implemented by BIGD, Bright Green Energy Foundation (BGEF), the EEE Department of BRAC University, and BRAC’s Climate Change Programme —aims to explore more efficient ways of generating income through the dual streams of agriculture and power production from the same piece of land.
While opening the session, Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, underscored the importance of the project, remarking that the main challenge facing Bangladesh is not population, but food scarcity. He added that agrivoltaics could be a key solution, merging energy production with agricultural sustainability. Professor Md. Mosaddequr Rahman, Chair of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) Department at BRAC University, acknowledged that agrivoltaics, like any emerging technology, has its pros and cons. He stressed the importance of research-led solutions to overcome challenges as the project progresses.
The session wrapped up with a lively Q&A featuring thought-provoking insights from academics and professionals across the renewable energy, agriculture, and solar sectors. In his closing remarks, Dr Imran Matin, Executive Director of BIGD, highlighted the importance of scalable, sustainable innovations like agrivoltaics—solutions that meet energy needs without compromising land use, food production, or livelihoods.
As Bangladesh continues to grow, so will our energy and food demands. Alternative solutions such as agrivoltaics might hold the potential to address this very real problem.
