The government has set a target of generating 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power ahead of next summer to keep power shortages at a tolerable level, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said on Monday.

He said rooftop solar systems were being considered an effective and practical way to achieve the target.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) at its Agargaon office, Amit said the government was working to prevent a repeat of the sufferings people faced during the last summer due to power shortages.

He said the government had formulated a policy on expanding solar power use within just two months, which could be revised based on stakeholders’ feedback.

The state minister said solar installations at public universities would not be imposed, and decisions would be made considering each institution’s needs and capacity.

He also said the Power Division would help universities earn carbon credits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through solar power generation.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said the commission had conducted a survey and formed a team to assess the feasibility of installing solar systems at 31 public universities.

He said universities could begin the process within a month if they took initiatives immediately, adding that the UGC would provide technical support.

He also stressed adopting the operational expenditure (OPEX) model to reduce universities’ electricity costs, citing an initiative at Jashore University of Science and Technology as an example.

The meeting was attended by vice-chancellors of public universities, senior officials of the Power Division and UGC members.