Blackouts lasting up to 18 hours a day are pushing households and businesses in parts of Bangladesh to turn to solar power, according to the Japan Times. 

Customers seeking an alternative to unreliable electricity are driving up demand for panels and batteries in Dhaka's crowded Kaptan Bazar.

Here's what to know

As deliveries from Qatar dwindle, the country has purchased replacement liquefied natural gas at roughly three times its contracted price, driving electricity bills higher. 

The Japan Times links the strain on Bangladesh's electricity supply to disrupted energy shipments from the Persian Gulf.

Monju Hossain, a sales representative for Dongjin Group Bangladesh, said the retailer's sales increased 50%.

An informal survey of more than 36 stalls in Kaptan Bazar found that all had seen increased demand, with falling equipment prices helping make solar more affordable for households.

For homeowners looking to cut utility costs, $0-upfront solar leases can save you hundreds of dollars per month, depending on your circumstances. EasyHome offers a free explorer tool to estimate your potential savings and find vetted local installers — a starting point for weighing whether residential solar could fit your budget.

More background

At shops in Dhaka, a 750-watt panel costs about 15,000 taka, or $121. 

By comparison, annual household electricity bills total about 38,000 taka, or $305.

Batteries and associated equipment can increase the initial expense, though Hossain said a typical family could recoup those costs within a decade.

Bangladesh's imports of solar and battery equipment from China rose to roughly $140 million during the March-through-September period, up more than 100%.

Shop owners cited price and reliability as reasons Jinko Solar and Longi Green Energy Technology panels are popular choices.

For factories, moving away from gas presents additional challenges.

"Solar only produces electricity, not steam for industrial boilers," explained Mosharaf Hossain, chairman of textile producer Mosharaf Group.

Garment production depends on steam to dye and finish fabrics.

What's being done?

Bangladesh cut import tariffs on solar equipment in September to make the technology more accessible. 

The government aims to increase renewables' share of the power mix to 20% in 2030, with a 30% target for 2040, according to a local media report citing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The initial investment remains a hurdle for lower-income households, according to Shafiqul Alam, lead Bangladesh analyst at IEEFA. He suggested considering support modeled on India's capital subsidy for household solar installations.

For households evaluating outage protection alongside lower bills, EasyHome also offers options for exploring battery storage. Pairing solar with batteries can store electricity for outages and help manage energy costs, addressing both pressures driving Bangladesh's solar rush.

Some business owners are looking beyond installing solar to supplying the equipment themselves. Abdul Hakim, managing director of Excellent Ceramics Industries, began adding rooftop solar at his Dhaka factory and is considering selling panels and batteries.

He emphasized the importance of storage to keep electricity available when needed.

"For the backup, they need a lithium battery," Hakim said.

Where can I learn more?

High electricity costs and outages are pushing people toward solar beyond Bangladesh. These stories cover solar adoption in Syria and Pakistan, and changing costs in emerging markets.

• Families in northeast Syria sell gold for solar as generator costs reach $250 monthly.

• In Pakistan, homes and cement plants turn to solar power amid electricity cost pressures.

• In emerging markets, solar beats fossil fuel costs upfront while financing becomes cheaper.

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