The government has introduced strict penalties for solar power theft and damage to solar equipment under the Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance, 2026, as it seeks to expand renewable energy use and bring greater discipline to the sector.
Under the ordinance, stealing solar power or equipment is punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of Tk 50,000, or both. Damaging solar equipment carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail, a fine of Tk 5 lakh, or both.
The ordinance was issued on Monday night by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The Cabinet approved its draft at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani said solar power had become increasingly important for Bangladesh amid the ongoing energy crisis and global uncertainties.
The ordinance allows solar power systems with a maximum capacity of five megawatts to be installed on government buildings, residential rooftops, courtyards, vacant land adjacent to buildings and water bodies.
It also covers solar-powered irrigation pumps, cold storage facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, tea gardens, floating solar projects and systems combining solar power generation with agriculture.
Large-scale ground-mounted solar projects, however, will remain outside its scope.
The government has introduced two investment models: operational expenditure (OPEX), under which investors bear installation costs, and capital expenditure (CAPEX), under which customer organisations finance projects and retain ownership.
A tripartite agreement among customers, service providers and the competent authority will set out provisions on equipment quality, safety, maintenance, electricity distribution, payments, ownership and dispute resolution.