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Solar savings & payback calculator

Estimate how much you save per month with a rooftop solar installation under the net-metering policy, including payback period and 25-year return.

Solar payback inputs

Typical Dhaka rooftop: 3–10 kW residential, 20–100 kW commercial.

2026 Bangladesh average: ৳65,000–৳80,000 per kW turn-key.

Use the rate of the top slab your meter currently hits.

Share of generated units sold back to the grid under net metering.

Monthly savings

৳ 6782

Yearly savings

৳ 82516

Payback

4.2 yrs

Daily generation

23.5 kWh

Upfront cost

৳ 350,000

25-year net return

৳ 1589115

Rooftop solar economics

Does rooftop solar actually pay back in Bangladesh?

Real numbers on system size, monthly savings, payback period, and where the assumptions can be wrong.

METER←Rooftop solar + net metering

The headline numbers

  • Dhaka averages 4.7 peak-sun-hours — 1 kW of panels generates ~4.7 units a day
  • A 5 kW residential system saves ~৳5,000–7,000/month and pays back in 5–6 years
  • Panels carry 25-year warranties; one inverter replacement around year 10

How it works

The basics of rooftop solar in Bangladesh

A 1 kW solar array in Bangladesh produces, on average, 4.5–5 units of electricity per day. The exact number depends on roof orientation, shading, dust, and the time of year. Multiply system size by 4.7 by 30 to get monthly generation; by 365 to get yearly.

Under the BPDB net-metering policy (most recently updated 2024), any generation you don’t consume directly flows into the grid and credits your meter at the retail tariff. A 5 kW residential array can offset around 700 units a month.

1 kW system

~4.7units/day

5 kW system

~700units/month

Avg cost (2026)

৳70Kper kW

Payback math

2026 prices, real-world example

A 5 kW system at ৳70,000/kW = ৳350,000 installed. With ৳80,800 yearly savings at the LT-A 301–400 slab rate, simple payback is ~4.3 years.

Panels carry 25-year linear performance warranties. After payback, you have ~20 years of nearly free energy net of one inverter swap (৳40,000–70,000) around year 10.

Caveats

Where the numbers can be wrong

The process

How to actually install solar (residential)

1

Find an EPC vendor

Use an installer enlisted by SREDA. Get 2–3 quotes.
2

Apply to your distribution company

DESCO, DPDC, NESCO, BREB — submit the net-metering application via EPC vendor.
3

Site survey

The distribution engineer surveys your roof and connection capacity.
4

Approval (30–60 days)

Wait for the approval letter.
5

Install + inspect

Installation, post-install inspection, replacement of meter with bi-directional.
6

Commission

System commissioned; bills now reflect net consumption.

Frequently asked questions

Yes for grid-connected consumers up to 70% of sanctioned load. Residential, commercial, and industrial categories all qualify under SREDA guidelines.

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