The continuous depletion of fossil fuel reserves and threats on climate change makes it essential for searching alternative energy sources. Renewable energy can play a vital role in this regard. Solar energy is the most promising renewable energy source available so far. In this paper, the availability of solar energy in Bangladesh and the prospects of solar photovoltaic based power generation are discussed. Analysis for different sources of solar energy is revealed. Especially the current scenario and prospect of Solar Park is investigated. And the result shows that according to the future plan, Solar Park is going to hold the largest share among all the renewable energy sources. According to the Renewable Energy Master Database, the total renewable energy capacity including all categories is about 2.4 GW. Among these, solar park projects are the main contributors in terms of capacity which is 2,110.56 MW.

Due to Bangladesh’s rapid development and fast-growing economy, the Government has placed an emphasis on ensuring a reliable and quality supply of electricity, to permit sustainable and financial development. The state’s policy on private sector involvement and the release of marginal lands for energy plantations is intended to enhance access to energy, through diversifying the energy supply. The country’s first solar park, with a capacity of 28 megawatts (MW), was established on 116 acres of land in Knila, Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar. This facility started producing electricity in September 2018, which is currently being added to the national grid. Solar power is one of the cleanest energy sources, but this does not guarantee that it will be sustainable for all societies. Sustainability is determined by three different parameters: environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. This paper critically discusses the impact of the project on the socio-economic and agro-ecological conditions of the local people. Using the empirical research method, here the effects have been understood and analyzed from the perspective of the political economy.

This explorative study is an assessment on empowerment of female tea garden workers through capabilities approach analysis. This study is conducted in a tea estate in Sylhet named Dholdoli. This study has shown that empowerment, in most cases, is found affirmative. Besides reviewing related literature and past research reports, the study is mainly based on primary field data. This study has collected qualitative data following an in-depth interview method of research. The tea garden has been selected purposively. For acquiring qualitative data, the study has involved a number of research participants, such as workers, management staffs, employers, union leaders, buyers and other local stakeholders. The study will mainly focus on in-depth interview techniques.  Results show that most of the respondents have control over their own income (including expenditure and saving) but as they have been paid in low amounts, they can hardly save anything, also they exhibit very explicitly that they have a participation in the decision of their child schooling, family planning, and other facts in social and political issues. They can participate in their local panchayet at or even in national election without any pursuing of a male member of their family.

Bangladesh is facing a tremendous energy crisis and the economic development of this country was jeopardized due to the lack of energy resources. Due to the progression of technology, the consumption of power is rising gradually. Adequate and consistent source of electricity is a key requirement for a constant and successful economic development. Due to the heavy dependence on natural gas and the possibility of this energy source to be exhausted in near future, an alternate way to find an energy source leads us in a path to renewable energy. In this paper, the current energy scenario is analyzed while the sources to renewable energy are explored. These renewable sources are briefly explained while the status and possibility of these resources in Bangladesh are investigated. Finally the social impacts of these renewable energy sources are scrutinized.

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