Exploration of the drivers of solar energy development in Bangladesh: a muticriteria decision making approach

Abstract

Energy demand in Bangladesh is consistently rising due to the country’s rapid population growth and economic expansion. As a result, solar energy holds substantial potential in the Bangladeshi energy portfolio. This study aims to identify and evaluate the key drivers behind the sustainable development of solar energy in Bangladesh, an emerging economy in South Asia. This is done by adopting an integrated methodology. First, through a literature review and expert feedback, 12 drivers of solar energy development are identified. This study then employs the best-worst method (BWM) to rank the drivers based on their significance and uses the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) along with Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC) methodology to analyze the interrelationships among them. The findings indicate that favorable geographical location in terms of solar irradiation, government policy toward sustainable renewable energy, the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and large bodies of water constitute the most significant drivers behind the sustainable development of solar energy in Bangladesh. This research contributes to the literature on sustainable solar energy development in a systematic way that benefits both decision-makers and end-users.