200MW Solar Project: What Investors Must Know

Inside a 200MW Solar Project in Bangladesh

Before pouring millions into solar energy in Bangladesh, investors want one thing: clarity. Where is the land? Who owns it? What’s the sun like? Is the grid nearby? And above all—how long will this take? In this deep dive, we’ll break down the real-world site data and planning details that shape the future of a 200MW solar venture in Bangladesh.

1. Project Location: Where Sun Meets Strategy

One of the most pivotal factors in any utility-scale solar investment is location. For a 200MW solar project in Bangladesh, the ideal site would lie in sun-rich zones like Chapai Nawabganj, Rajshahi, or Jamalpur—districts known for flat lands and low rainfall.

Let’s take a real example: Imagine a site located in Shibganj Upazila, Chapai Nawabganj. This region offers excellent solar potential and favorable land topography. The proposed land here is generally flood-free, arid in summer, and remains dry enough for construction during most months of the year.

Equally important is its connectivity: The site is approximately 6–8 kilometers from the nearest national grid substation, minimizing both power loss and transmission costs. Shorter distances mean quicker connections and lower CapEx—making it a win-win from both engineering and economic standpoints.

2. Land Ownership: The Foundation Beneath the Panels

Land disputes have sunk many ambitious projects, but smart investors prioritize due diligence. For our hypothetical project, the land is a mix of privately owned plots and leased government khas land. This dual-ownership model helps to balance acquisition speed and cost control.

Roughly 60% of the site is already acquired through private negotiations, with signed MoUs from local landowners. The remaining 40% is under lease negotiation with government authorities for a 25-year period. Legal documentation and demarcation are expected to be finalized within the next 3 months—a strong signal of maturity to any investor.

The hybrid model offers long-term security while sidestepping excessive land premiums common in fully private acquisitions.

3. Site Area: 700 Acres of Solar Ambition

Space matters:To generate 200MW of solar energy, the project requires approximately 700 to 800 acres of contiguous, usable land.
Why so much?
Because every megawatt of solar PV capacity typically needs 4–5 acres, depending on the technology used (fixed-tilt vs. tracking systems).

For our site, 730 acres have been identified and mapped via drone surveys.

Soil testing indicates a strong clay-loam profile—ideal for piling and foundation works.

There’s low erosion risk and minimal vegetation, making site clearing relatively low-cost and low-impact.

Additionally, the land’s rectangular shape offers optimal design for panel orientation, cable layout, and maintenance roads—helping reduce operational complexity later on.

4. Solar Irradiation Data: The True Fuel Behind the Project

Bangladesh enjoys impressive solar exposure—if only more people realized it. According to data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and NASA’s Surface Solar Radiation Atlas, the average daily solar irradiation ranges from 4.5 to 5.2 kWh/m²/day.

Our site in Shibganj Upazila has recorded a 12-month average of 4.85 kWh/m²/day, validated by an on-site pyranometer and satellite cross-referencing. This level of irradiation supports a high Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF), which is projected at 18%–19% annually.

To put it into perspective, this means roughly 300,000–320,000 MWh/year of clean electricity—enough to power over 150,000 rural homes annually. That’s not just a return on investment; that’s a return on impact.

5. Project Timeline: From Blueprint to Bright Light

Every day counts in a solar project. Investors need to know when the switch will flip. Here’s the proposed timeline for our 200MW project:

• Q2 2025 – Q3 2025: Land acquisition finalization, permitting, and grid integration MoUs
• Q4 2025: Financial closure, EPC contract signing, and initial mobilization
• Q1 2026 – Q2 2027: Full-scale construction, panel installation, substation development
• Q3 2027: Grid synchronization, testing, and commissioning

The total project lifecycle is estimated at 30–36 months from acquisition to commissioning. Fast-tracking is possible with early investor commitment and streamlined government approvals under the “One Stop Service” system by BIDA.

Conclusion: The Light at the End of the Due Diligence

Investing in solar isn’t just about sunshine—it’s about certainty. The viability of a 200MW solar power project in Bangladesh rests on five pillars: a strategic location close to the grid, clear land ownership with legal security, a large and ready site area, strong solar resources, and a realistic, achievable project timeline.

In the end, solar is not just an energy business—it’s a trust business. The more data you have, the less risk you take. And in this case, the data tells a promising story. If you’re a foreign investor seeking scalable, high-impact, and future-proof energy opportunities, the sun over Bangladesh is rising for you.