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Operational Guide • Energy • Intermediate Level

Commercial Rooftop Solar Installation in Bangladesh: Regulatory Steps and Net Metering Guide

A step-by-step regulatory and operational guide for factory owners and facility managers implementing commercial rooftop solar under SREDA net metering guidelines.

BD Market Insights Editorial Team
Published: • 6 min read
Engineers inspecting commercial solar inverters on a factory rooftop in Bangladesh
Engineers inspecting commercial solar inverters on a factory rooftop in Bangladesh — BD Market Insights Practical Playbooks
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Overview: SREDA Net Metering Framework

Under the Net Metering Guidelines issued by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), industrial and commercial electricity consumers can install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their premises to offset retail energy consumption and export surplus daytime electricity to the national distribution grid.

This operational guide outlines the mandatory statutory approvals, structural safety audits, and technical compliance milestones required before commissioning.

Step 1: Structural & Roof Load Audit

Before procuring photovoltaic equipment, industrial facilities must secure an engineering certificate verifying roof integrity:

  • Load Bearing Capacity: The building structure must safely support dead loads (panels, aluminum mounting racks, walkways) and live loads (wind pressure during cyclonic seasons).
  • Fire Safety Clearance: Roof layouts must preserve minimum 1.5-meter peripheral access corridors for fire service personnel.

Step 2: Feasibility & Interconnection Study

Factory management or an accredited EPC contractor conducts a detailed electrical audit:

  • Assessment of transformer rating (Solar capacity cannot exceed 70% of the sanctioned load or transformer capacity under distribution utility rules).
  • Power factor correction and harmonic distortion measurements.

Step 3: Distribution Utility Application

Submit formal net metering application to the relevant utility provider (e.g., DPDC, DESCO, BREB, WZPDCL, or NESCO):

  1. Detailed single-line diagram (SLD) of the proposed installation.
  2. Inverter test certifications complying with IEC 61727 and IEC 62116 anti-islanding standards.
  3. Verification of bidirectional net meter procurement.

Step 4: Installation, Testing & Joint Inspection

Following utility clearance, installation proceeds according to BSTI electrical codes:

  • Installation of class-A bidirectional revenue metering.
  • Execution of anti-islanding safety tests to protect utility line technicians during grid outages.
  • Issuance of the commercial net metering connection certificate.

Sources, Data & References

In accordance with BD Market Insights Editorial Standards, all factual claims, market sizes, and corporate data cited in this publication are cross-referenced with official filings, regulatory bodies, and industry documentation.

  1. SREDA Net Metering Guidelines 2018 (Amended) — sreda.gov.bd (Accessed: September 28, 2026)
  2. BREB Commercial Solar Application Manual — reb.gov.bd (Accessed: September 28, 2026)