𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬-𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭

Nov 11, 2026

Khandaker Ruhama Amin and Labiba Anika, Level 4, Term-1 students of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (URP), BUET, have secured the 1st Runners-up (2nd Position) in the Energy Efficiency category of "Sfuron: Sustainable Energy Innovation Idea Contest 2026," competing as Team ChhadGrid among 496 participating teams. The contest was organized by the Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources, GIZ Bangladesh, and SREDA Bangladesh. The Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mr. Tarique Rahman, presented the award at the prize-giving ceremony. Their winning idea, "ChhadGrid: The Rooftop Rescue of Dhaka," addresses high electricity costs, limited rooftop space, and unequal access to rooftop solar energy in densely built urban neighbourhoods. It proposes a community-based solar model in which a public institution serves as a central solar anchor, supplying renewable energy benefits to nearby apartment buildings within a 150-meter radius. The model combines shared solar PV and battery systems, energy-efficient appliances, smart meters, and a benefit-sharing mechanism. It aims to make renewable energy accessible and financially viable for urban households, including those whose rooftops are unsuitable for individual solar installations. For the proposed pilot in Dhanmondi, the team identified Dhanmondi Government Primary School as the anchor institution, connecting six nearby apartment buildings with 156 flats. The system has an estimated solar capacity of 182.6 kWp, with the potential to reduce electricity costs and strengthen community-level renewable energy adoption. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ruhama and Labiba on this achievement!