SOLshare and Shakti Foundation Connect Solar P2P Microgrid To National Grid in Bangladesh

In what could be termed a pathbreaking initiative in the solar microgrid sector, SOLshare and Shakti Foundation have joined hands to interconnect one of their P2P solar microgrids in a village of Bangladesh by way of a single point called the “Point of Common Coupling” (PCC). This move will help feed the excess solar energy into the national grid.

The Sebastian Groh founded SOLshare, which is funded by the UK Government among others, is known for its pioneering work in the peer-to-peer energy exchange network for rural communities.

Unravelling The Multiple Benefits Of PCC

The PCC combines grid extension and Solar Home System dissemination- the two primary electrification initiatives by Bangladesh.

The self-sustaining microgrid will be put to good use by balancing energy with the national grid. Consequently, this will support the push against load shedding, while increasing service stability.

The users of the Solar Home System also stand to gain from the initiative since they will be to sell electricity to the national grid and earn an additional income in return. This will also pave the way for sustainability to thrive. Until now, these P2P microgrids could only trade among themselves.

Deputy executive director of Shakti Foundation, Imran Ahmed, expressed his excitement at the financial opportunities that this innovation will bring for microentrepreneurs and marginalised communities while simultaneously contributing to the economy and environment.

The Launch Of The Milestone

The PCC was launched at SOLshare’s office in Dhaka. It witnessed the presence of Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, advisor to the Prime Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources Affairs as chief guest while Javed Patel, acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh presided over the landmark event as the special guest.

Dr Tawfiq Elahi Chowdhury said he was hopeful about the innovation that would help more customers reap the “benefits of solar peer-to-peer microgrids.” Javed Patel termed the initiative as a “ground-breaking pilot programme that builds on Bangladesh’s global success in solar home systems and national grid expansion.” “It has the potential to bring benefits to many remote rural communities as well as increase the contribution of renewable energy in the national energy mix,” he further said.

Dr Sebastian Groh, Co-founder and Managing Director, SOLshare said, “Having reached full electrification is a major achievement for Bangladesh. Now the need of the hour is to increase grid resilience, electricity quality, and the share of renewable energies. This pilot shows how this can be achieved by intelligently connecting user-owned assets to the national grid.” He seemed extremely  optimistic about the innovation, “Today this is starting with solar home systems, tomorrow it will continue with local electric three-wheeler (B-Tesla) batteries,” he concluded.