The Infrastructure Development Company Limited has earned more than $23 million in carbon revenue from its Solar Home System programme, which has taken off-grid solar power to 4.3 million households and small businesses since 2002, its acting managing director, SM Monirul Islam, said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Green Dialogue on climate change and economic realignment, organised by Bonik Barta at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka, he said IDCOL recently received $15.3 million in carbon revenue under the programme, with further revenue opportunities ahead.

Islam said the programme had helped meet rural communities’ electricity needs and improve living standards. Solar lighting has lengthened students’ study hours, while small shops can stay open after dusk, extending their working hours. The programme has been recognised as the world’s largest off-grid solar power programme.

The acting managing director said IDCOL plans to launch a Domestic Rooftop Solar (DRS) scheme for homes. Under the plan, homeowners would cover 20 percent of the cost, demand aggregators 20 percent and IDCOL the remaining 60 percent through concessional refinancing.

The company estimates Bangladesh has 16.3 million semi-paka and paka houses. Fitting 4-kilowatt solar systems on half of them could generate about 33,000 megawatts. IDCOL believes the programme could help increase generating capacity before next summer and reduce the hardship people face during power shortages.

Under its plans, IDCOL would be involved in 4,800 megawatts of renewable energy generation by 2030, contributing to the government’s renewable energy generation target.