Use of solar energy

It is not that the government or the international agencies are not taking interest. Under the UNEP and other forcing donor agencies, some pilot projects are being encouraged in Bangladesh, and our REB (Rural Electrification Board) is also aware of the advantages and applications. The question is of its availability at different economic levels.

It comes down to the economics of marketing. The current production rate of electricity from solar units is around $6-9 per installed watt, while experts predict lowering of the cost to around a dollar per watt within a decade. But the R&D (research and development) in the industrialised countries is lagging behind by about two decades, due to lack of interest and official patronage; so long fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) are available cheaply. No one knows the extent of the untapped reserves below the surface, and how long it would last.

There is an international society to look after RE sector, known as ISES -- International Solar Energy Society. The name of its official journal/magazine is Refocus. It has to make its presence felt in the Third World.

Japan is leading in the use of RE. The production of PV (photo-voltaic) cells doubled within 2000-2003. The initial investment cost is high. The other alternatives are wind turbine, use of the water tides, and bio-gas.

In Europe more than half of the total energy use is for house warming and water heating (in a temperate Zone). This green energy can prevent 80 percent of environmental pollution, once cheap technology is available for mass production and use all over the world, including the third world countries.

It appears that R&D is rather a hush-hush affair, as energy control is a powerful political weapon. Recent research items to overcome the cost barrier relate to ECHP/ SCHP or concentrating PV-thermal technology.

According to scientific predictions, the world is going a face a severe water shortage globally. Processing of sea water for human uses is costly from the energy expenditure angle. If cheaper solar units could purify seawater, a great problem would be solved.

It is time for Bangladesh to start thinking about an Energy Master Plan for the coming decades.