Solar, Battery-Powered Products Gain Popularity as Load-Shedding Pressures Consumers

Frequent power outages and concerns over electricity shortages are driving growing interest in solar power systems, battery-powered appliances and hybrid inverters in Bangladesh, according to traders and consumers.

In Dhaka’s Gulistan and Stadium Market areas, retailers selling solar and battery-powered equipment said customer interest has increased in recent months. Solar panels, batteries, rechargeable fans, LED lights, mobile charging systems and hybrid inverters are among the products attracting buyers.

Retailer Hriday Hossain, owner of Hriday Electric & Electronics, said demand for solar lights and batteries has increased compared with earlier months. He said customers who previously spent long periods without purchasing such products are now increasingly visiting shops to find backup power solutions.

Traders said customers are increasingly interested in complete solar packages rather than purchasing individual components. Packages reported in the market include solar panels, batteries, charge controllers, LED lights and fans, with prices ranging from around Tk12,000 to Tk39,000 depending on capacity and configuration.

The reported packages include 65-watt systems priced at Tk12,000–Tk14,000, 100-watt systems at Tk14,000–Tk16,000, and 100-watt systems with ceiling fans at Tk17,000–Tk19,000. A 150-watt package was reported at Tk20,000–Tk22,000, while higher-capacity 150-watt and 200-watt packages were priced at around Tk32,000–Tk35,000 and Tk36,000–Tk39,000, respectively.

Demand for hybrid inverter systems has also increased, according to retailers. Systems with capacities of around 1,000VA and 1,200VA were being sold for approximately Tk75,000 and Tk80,000. Traders said these systems can provide backup power for devices such as fans, lights, televisions, routers and mobile charging points, although actual backup performance depends on battery capacity and electricity consumption.

The trend is also being reported outside Dhaka. Naymur Rahman, proprietor of Smart Electronics in Hazirhat under Kamalnagar upazila of Lakshmipur, said customers are increasingly asking about battery-powered fans and lights. He said he has also been communicating with Dhaka-based suppliers about battery-operated televisions, solar lighting systems and electric cooking equipment.

In Satkhira, trader Saem Alam said frequent power outages have encouraged customers to use battery-powered technologies for lighting, mobile charging and television viewing. Consumers in other districts are also looking for alternative backup options as electricity supply becomes less reliable.

Rahaat Islam, a resident of Uzirpur in Pirojpur, said energy insecurity has affected daily life and called for government support to make solar products more affordable. He argued that lower prices could encourage more households to adopt solar systems.

Md Mujibur Rahman, director of Renewable Energy Development at SREDA, said public interest in renewable energy is increasing and referred to initiatives being implemented under Bangladesh’s renewable energy policy introduced in 2025.

Energy expert Dr Badrul Imam said Bangladesh has significant potential for solar energy and could make greater progress through proper planning. Zakir Hossain Khan, an energy specialist at Change Initiative, said the situation highlights the need to diversify Bangladesh’s energy sources and suggested measures such as subsidies, soft loans and quality assurance to support wider solar adoption.

The increase in demand for solar and battery-powered products indicates that some households and businesses are looking for ways to reduce the impact of power interruptions. However, the long-term growth of the market will depend on equipment costs, financing opportunities, product quality, after-sales services and government policies.

For Bangladesh, the growing consumer interest could also provide an opportunity to expand the use of renewable energy while improving access to backup electricity in areas affected by frequent power outages.