The signing ceremony, held in Dhaka, was attended by key representatives from both organizations. Present from Unilever Bangladesh were Mohammad Zaved Akhtar, Chairman & Managing Director; Md. Ruhul Quddus Khan, Supply Chain Director; Dilruba Ahmed Choudhury, Country Procurement Lead, Somnath Chougule, Engineering Manager; and Abdul Majid, Senior Engineering Manager at the Kalurghat Factory. Representing SOLARIC were Didar Islam, CEO, and Engr. Naznin Akther, Director of Business Development.

At the event, Mohammad Zaved Akhtar, Chairman and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the company’s dedication to integrating renewable energy into its operations as part of its broader sustainability goals. Didar Islam, CEO of SOLARIC, said, “We are excited to partner with Unilever Bangladesh, a global leader in sustainability, to deliver clean and renewable energy solutions. This initiative aligns with our mission to revolutionize energy systems and promote a greener future for Bangladesh.”

The solar installation, designed to generate approximately 900 MWh of clean energy annually, will significantly reduce Unilever’s reliance on grid electricity and cut CO₂ emissions, reinforcing its commitment to operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. SOLARIC’s proven expertise in rooftop solar projects ensures the plant’s seamless integration, enhancing Unilever’s energy independence while contributing to Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector.

This initiative not only showcases Unilever Bangladesh’s six-decade legacy of impactful contributions to the nation’s economic, social, and environmental growth but also reflects SOLARIC’s unwavering commitment to driving the country’s adoption of sustainable energy solutions. Together, the organizations are setting a benchmark for corporate sustainability, paving the way for a greener, more energy-efficient future for Bangladesh.

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JA Solar has once again been honored for its exceptional commitment to sustainability, earning a spot in the “2024 Best Practices in Sustainable Development of Chinese Listed Companies” case study. The accolade, presented by the China Association for Public Companies (CAPCO), highlights the company’s consistent efforts in advancing sustainable practices. This marks the second consecutive year JA Solar has received this distinction.

The announcement was made at the 2024 Sustainable Development Conference of Listed Companies in Beijing, where CAPCO revealed its annual ESG research findings. The event spotlighted outstanding examples of ecological conservation, social responsibility, and sustainable governance from over 5,000 listed companies. JA Solar was among the 135 companies featured in the prestigious case study compilation.

The company attributes its recognition to a steadfast dedication to integrating sustainability into every facet of its operations. From promoting green energy solutions to refining governance systems, JA Solar continues to lead the industry toward a more responsible and environmentally friendly future.

“We are deeply honored by this acknowledgment from CAPCO,” a spokesperson for JA Solar stated. “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and this recognition inspires us to continue our efforts in creating a greener tomorrow.”

JA Solar’s continued success underscores its role as a leader in sustainable development, demonstrating how businesses can thrive while making meaningful contributions to global ecological goals.

About JA Solar
JA Solar is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance photovoltaic products, dedicated to providing sustainable energy solutions and driving a transition toward a cleaner future.

The post JA Solar Recognized for Sustainable Practices for Two Consecutive Years appeared first on Textile Focus.

Australia’s mining sector continues to play a vital role in the economy, contributing 10-11% to the nation’s GDP and generating a record $455 billion in export revenue in 2022-23, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Kathleen Valley, located in a remote region of Western Australia, is far from an established power infrastructure but rich in abundant mining resources, utilizing off-grid energy solutions essential for reliable and continuous mining operations. The renewable off-grid solution will reduce reliance on costly and polluting diesel fuel, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and cut energy costs. As Australia moves toward sustainable practices, it also helps mining companies comply with stricter environmental regulations and enhance the overall sustainability of their operations.

This project features an advanced hybrid power system that integrates 17 MW / 20 MWh of battery storage, 17 MW of solar energy, and 30 MW of wind power. Additionally, the system includes 32 MW of thermal generation, comprising 27 MW of gas and 5 MW of diesel. The project applied Sungrow’s SG350HX string inverter, SC4000UD-MV power conversion system, and ST2236UX PowerTitan liquid cooling energy storage system to provide a highly efficient renewable energy solution, supporting sustainability and energy optimization for mining operations. These advanced systems have powered the entire site on 100% renewables continuously for three and a half days since being commissioned on 30 June this year. The system design will enable delivery of up to an 80% renewable energy fraction over the course of a year significantly reducing its carbon footprint and setting new benchmarks for environmentally responsible mining.

The country director of Sungrow Australia, Joe Zhou, said, “We are proud to collaborate with Zenith Energy and Liontown Resources on this transformative project. By integrating advanced renewable solutions, we are driving the mining industry’s energy transition and demonstrating the power of sustainable innovation in one of Australia’s key economic sectors.”

Sungrow, Zenith Energy, and Liontown Resources are leading the charge in transforming Australia’s mining industry by integrating renewable energy systems into mining operations. As Australia works towards achieving its net-zero goals by 2050, this project serves as a benchmark for integrating renewables into traditionally hard-to-decarbonize sectors like mining. Looking ahead, Sungrow is committed to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions across diverse industries.

The post Sungrow Partners with Zenith Energy to Power Australia’s Largest Off-Grid Hybrid Project appeared first on Textile Focus.

International Exhibition on “Power, Energy, Solar, Real state Construction Ecosystem” has been organized by Cems Global at ICCB on 14-16 November 2024. Hundreds of local and foreign companies have participated at the exhibition.

In this fair Bangladesh’s leading industrial solar EPC company “Solaric” participated in stall no. G 81-82 and showcased some of their industrial solar projects in Bangladesh. Visitors and entrepreneurs can learn about various aspects of industrial solar power plants from renewable energy experts at Solaric’s stall at the fair. Here is a miniature demo of Solar EPC Contactor Solaric’s World’s Largest Solar Rooftop 50 Mega Watt “Korean EPZ, Chittagong” only project “Youngone Corporarion KEPZ Solar Rooftop Project.

Many industrialist ,academian , experts visited Solaric’s stall and inquired about their work and projects.

At this time Solaric’s Renewable Expert Director (Business Development), Engr. Nazneen Akhtar; General Manager, Ishtiaq Malik; AGM (Business Development), Md Mehdi Al-Mamun; Senior Sales Manager AKM Shahriar; Brand Manager, Faisal Hossain; Manager, Sifat Ahmed and many others were present.

Rooftops of industries can be a good alternative for solar panels to implement renewable energy plans in industries as Bangladesh has a land scarcity issue, said Solaric Group Director Engineer Naznin Akhter.

The country has a big opportunity to utilise its industries’ rooftops as around 95% of them are currently unused.

“Bangladesh has a land scarcity. Rooftop solar solutions will help to generate more energy in industries,” Naznin said.
According to her, an industrialist can save 15% of energy cost by this utilisation compared to using an existing grid as solar power ensures green energy at a low cost.

We are working on the world’s largest rooftop solar panel at KEPZ-50MWp in Chattogram by Youngone Corporation. We basically started to work with Youngone Corporation in 2019. We have already completed 40MW which will be enhanced to 50 MW by June 2025,” she informed.

She added that Solaric installed 21 rooftop projects of different companies and organisations between 2015 and May 2024 in industrial zones like Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and Savar contributing to more than 100 MWp of rooftop solar on-grid power plants,she added.

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Jinko Solar, one of the leading global solar PV and ESS solution suppliers, participated in the 26th Power Bangladesh Exhibition in Dhaka hosted by Cems Global from 14-16 November for its key Bangladeshi Customers.

At the expo Jinko showcase innovations of the upgraded product portfolio, offering a wide range of new energy solutions aimed to face the different demands of the market..

Engr. Shahidur Rahman, Country Manager of Jinko Solar said,

Jinko Solar, the world’s largest Ntype Module manufacturer and top Tier 1 Solar panel brand, ranked number 1, is showcasing its innovative PV Solar Panels at the International Convention City Bashundhara – ICCB ICCB.

Please visit us at: Hall 1, Booth 45. We warmly invite you to visit us tomorrow.

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The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the tax exemption period for renewable energy-based power plants by five years to attract potential investors in that area. 

On 26 June 2023, Sheikh Hasina government withdrew the full tax break in this sector and introduced a tax exemption for ten years for investment within June 2025.

According to a statutory regulatory order (SRO) of NBR issued today (29 October), the investors who will start commercial production from July 2025 to June 2030 will enjoy tax breaks on income from renewable energy power plants.

“The investors will enjoy a 100% income tax break for the first five years of starting the commercial production, a 50% exemption on income derived from this power sector for the next three years, and a 25% exemption for the subsequent two years,” according to the order.

The tax exemption has been offered since 2011 to support the now-deposed government goal of expanding the country’s energy production capacity.

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He said it does mean that the opportunity is there to expand renewable energy facilities quickly, and they have both experience in the European Union and financing available.

“We think there’s a scope to work with Bangladesh on air quality and air pollution. But, the big investment that I would want to talk about is in renewable energy,” Ambassador Miller told UNB in an interview at his Embassy office.

Between 2021 and 2027, Team Europe will mobilise up to €300 billion of investments for sustainable and high-quality projects, taking into account the needs of partner countries and ensuring lasting benefits for local communities.

Ambassador Miller said they had a Global Gateway Forum last year which mobilized 400 million euros as a facility from credit to help build essentially – it is building power plants, building stable grids infrastructure, and it is building interconnections.

“I think it’s just such an obvious area (climate change) where our partnership can be imbued with substance. So we are doing lots of work in terms of financing the environmental upgrade of the textile sector,” said the Head of Delegation of the EU in Dhaka.

For example, Ambassador Miller said they are working very specifically on decarbonizing the brick industry, which is a huge polluter.

Talking about Global Gateway, he said it is an approach to building secure and open and trusted networks.

When there would be a possibility to promote cooperation with neighbours, cooperation with Nepal, for example, then these are areas where they would want to explore, said the EU envoy.

“It’s huge that we have the same agenda because of the climate vulnerability of this country, and because we are extremely committed to combating climate change,” Miller said.

In Brussels, he said, there is a huge political transition and hopefully by the middle of November, they will have a new college (of the European Commission).

“But that political transition is just going to confirm how important it is for us to take climate action,” he added.

Ambassador Miller said that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is a political “rock star” with access to everywhere.

“Everyone listens to what he says, and it is something that Bangladesh can build upon. And for me, the approach is to deepen the partnership we have,” he said.

The EU thinks their engagement on all aspects of climate change will only get stronger in the coming years in line with their shared conviction about the importance of climate mitigation and adaptation.

Ambassador Miller recently met Environment, Forests, Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

They exchanged views on innovative initiatives to address climate change and preparations for the upcoming COP29. Besides, environmental and social compliance in the RMG, leather, and brick sectors was discussed during their meeting.

The EU reaffirmed its readiness to assist the interim government in achieving its reform objectives.

“The European Union has been a key partner in Bangladesh’s efforts to combat climate change and protect our rich biodiversity,” said Rizwana Hasan.

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.

Managing climate risks has been central to Bangladesh’s development story, according to the World Bank.

Today, Bangladesh is recognised as a global leader in climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness.

But, the World Bank says the country continues to face severe and increasing climate risks, and without strong action, climate change will undermine Bangladesh’s strong development trajectory and the poorest will be hardest hit.

The post EU sees opportunities in Bangladesh’s rapid renewable energy expansion appeared first on Textile Focus.

Joe Zhou, Vice President of Sungrow APAC, stated, “As the world—and particularly Australia—shifts rapidly towards renewable energy, Sungrow is leading the way in innovation. We are committed to delivering the most advanced and reliable solutions tailored to Australia’s unique energy needs, helping the nation achieve its ambitious sustainability goals and driving a more resilient, renewable future.”

Next-generation utility-scale renewable energy solutions

Among the standout products at Sungrow’s booth is the PowerTitan 2.0, an intelligent liquid-cooled energy storage system designed for high efficiency and safety. With a round-trip efficiency (RTE) of 89.5%, the system is equipped with state-of-the-art safety measures and cutting-edge Stem Cell Grid Tech, which enhances grid stability and optimizes power quality.

High-efficiency solutions for the growing commercial and industrial (C&I) market

One of the key offerings is the PowerStack, a liquid-cooled commercial and industrial energy storage system that significantly reduces on-site commissioning time. With AI-controlled thermal management reducing heat loss by 33% and maintaining temperature differences within 2.5°C, the PowerStack reaches optimal performance and efficiency of up to 88%.

Residential solar systems empower households to harness clean energy

Additionally, the SH25T Hybrid Three-Phase Inverter paired with the SBH High Voltage LFP Battery Solution provides robust whole-home backup capabilities. With a battery capacity of up to 160 kWh and seamless off-grid compatibility, this solution enhances self-consumption, reduces energy costs, and supports energy independence.

Sungrow powers Australia’s path to a renewable economy

“As Australia strides towards a renewable future, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and achieve 82% of its electricity from renewable sources, our products cater to various applications—from residential rooftops to commercial spaces like offices and warehouses. Sungrow offers the ideal solution for your clean energy transition while ensuring an exceptional experience,” said Scott Su, Technical Service Director of Sungrow Australia.

Sungrow Australia stands at the forefront of this green revolution. With a commanding presence in the market, Sungrow powers over 35% of both the residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) PV sectors, alongside a 15% stake in the utility space. Driven by a dedicated team in Sydney, Sungrow is not just innovating but reshaping Australia’s energy landscape, fuelling a cleaner, more resilient economy for a sustainable future.

The post All-Energy Australia 2024: Sungrow’s Transformative Energy Solutions Bridging to a Sustainable Future appeared first on Textile Focus.

Bangladesh’s Strategic Importance

Bangladesh is rapidly becoming a key player in global markets, and Danish companies are positioning themselves to benefit from the country’s economic growth. The question is, what underpins Denmark’s strong trade and investment position in Bangladesh, and how can this commercial partnership continue to thrive? Denmark’s efforts involve resilience, courage, and a long-term vision, as seen during the recent student-led revolution this summer, highlighting the challenges of operating in Bangladesh. However, the potential rewards are equally significant, with Danish businesses already deeply integrated into the country’s economy.

From Development Aid to Business Partnerships

Bangladesh received the second-highest amount of Danish development aid between 1970 and 2020. Danish involvement in Bangladesh has evolved significantly, moving from development aid to commercial engagement. The Danish embassy in Dhaka established a trade department in 2010, initially with one employee, which has since grown to a team of seven. This shift is part of a broader strategy where former development aid professionals have been retrained to focus on fostering commercial partnerships between Danish and Bangladeshi businesses.

This transition from “aid to business” has allowed Denmark to establish a strong commercial foothold in Bangladesh, supported by the unique organizational structure of the Danish foreign service. Development aid, export promotion, and traditional foreign policy are coordinated under a single framework, allowing for a seamless transition into the commercial realm.

Bangladesh’s Economic Growth and the Challenges Ahead

In 2026, Bangladesh is expected to graduate from the United Nations’ “Least Developed Countries” (LDC) group, marking a significant milestone. The country has made considerable progress in reducing poverty, with rates dropping from around 50% in 2000 to approximately 15% in 2023. As it transitions from an LDC, Bangladesh will need to rely more on its economic capabilities without the favorable trading conditions previously afforded by its LDC status, such as duty-free access to the EU.

Denmark’s involvement in Bangladesh is adapting accordingly, shifting focus towards a partnership for sustainable growth. The goal is to help Bangladesh evolve from a global production hub to a sustainable production center, benefitting both nations.

EU Directives and the Future of Textile Trade

Bangladesh is now the world’s second-largest clothing exporter, second only to China. However, to maintain and grow this industry, Bangladesh must align with the EU’s new “due diligence” directive, which mandates large European companies to ensure sustainability and proper working conditions in their supply chains. Denmark’s role will be to support Bangladesh in complying with these requirements, ensuring that the new regulations act as a catalyst for sustainable transition rather than a barrier to trade.

Textiles account for 86% of Bangladesh’s exports, with nearly 60% of these exports going to the EU. The new EU regulations have the potential to drive significant social, environmental, and climate progress in Bangladesh. Simultaneously, Bangladesh faces the internal challenge of improving its political landscape, with a transitional government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, tasked with navigating the country through this period of transformation.

Denmark’s Role in Bangladesh’s Sustainable Future

For over 50 years, Denmark has been a close partner to Bangladesh, contributing to its economic development through traditional development aid. As Bangladesh prepares for the next phase of its economic journey, Denmark is providing new tools to support sustainable growth. The Danish embassy in Dhaka has implemented a “Sustainable Supply Chain Advisory” team, which leverages the combined expertise of both aid and commercial sectors to assist Danish companies. This team aims to improve working conditions in Bangladesh’s factories while guiding Danish businesses on sustainable practices.

Moreover, Danish investments in energy, logistics, and shipping are expected to play a pivotal role in making the entire value chain greener and more efficient, benefitting Bangladesh, Denmark, and the global climate.

By Christian Brix Møller, Denmark’s Ambassador to Bangladesh.

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Figure: 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬

The Battery Energy Storage System (𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐒) is an advanced technological solution that allows energy storage in multiple ways for later use. Given the possibility that an energy supply can experience fluctuations due to weather, blackouts, or for geopolitical reasons, battery systems are vital for utilities, businesses and homes to achieve a continual power flow.

Renewable Energy Integration: BESS stores surplus energy generated from renewable sources like wind and solar. When demand exceeds production, this stored energy can be released, ensuring a steady power supply and reducing reliance on peak-power plants.

Grid Support: BESS enhances grid stability by mitigating supply variations. It acts as a buffer during peak demand, preventing interruptions and ensuring consistent power availability.

Behind-the-Meter Energy Management: For residential and commercial users, BESS optimizes energy consumption. It allows self-generated energy to be stored and used intelligently, reducing electricity costs.

Renewable Energy Production Management: BESS ensures a seamless transition between renewable energy sources and the grid. It’s a key player in our journey toward a greener future.

Author: Engr. Naznin Akther, Renewable energy expert and Director of Solaric Group

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