Radiant Alliance, an affiliate of East Coast Group, has shipped the first-ever “Made in Bangladesh” solar panel consignment to the United States, marking a landmark shift in the country’s renewable energy manufacturing landscape. The first delivery, which was dispatched on June 19, 2025, to CleanGrid Incorporation in the U.S., marks the beginning of a four-year export agreement valued at more than Tk 215 crore (around $19.5 million). The contract commits Radiant to deliver a total of 64.6 MW of solar PV modules through 2028, including 12.4 MW scheduled for 2025 alone. These panels, available in 100 Wp and 200 Wp formats, are produced at Radiant’s state-of-the-art, fully automated factory in Ashulia, Savar, with an annual capacity of 600 MW. Masudur Rahim, CEO of Radiant Alliance, described the first shipment as “not just a company milestone—it’s a national milestone,” highlighting Bangladesh’s burgeoning role in the global cleantech supply chain. Local industry experts share his optimism, noting that recent U.S. anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels have opened a rare window of opportunity. As Golam Baki Masud of the Solar Module Manufacturers Association of Bangladesh observed, Radiant’s move presents a timely chance for Bangladeshi manufacturers to gain a foothold in high-value export markets. Radiant’s plant, outfitted to produce panels from 50 Wp up to 700 Wp, was established in February 2024 with an investment of $20 million (Tk 220 crore). Now capable of meeting international standards, the facility positions Bangladesh alongside regional competitors like China, India, and Vietnam. Despite the achievement, domestic manufacturers face challenges. They contend with cheap, low-quality imported panels that undercut local prices without meeting quality or safety standards. Industry associations are thus urging the government to institute mandatory quotas for domestic panels in public-sector solar projects—an intervention they believe will level the playing field and sustain industry growth. The Radiant–CleanGrid deal ushers Bangladesh into a new chapter in renewable energy exports. It not only signals the country’s emergence as a global solar panel supplier but also underscores its capability to meet international compliance and quality benchmarks. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, stakeholders recommend continued investment in manufacturing infrastructure, export-focused partnerships, and supportive policies. If these conditions hold, Bangladesh has the potential to scale this initial foray into a long-term, competitive presence in global solar energy markets.
