By Huang Yanan

    DHAKA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The villagers in Barotopa, Bangladesh who have no connection with national grid have access to electricity due to a solar energy project run by Grameen Shakti, a non-governmental organization in the country.

    More than 100 out of 300 households in Barotopa village of Gazipur district, about 37 kms north of capital Dhaka, have installed solar panels.

    Abdul Khalek, a 55-year-old farmer, said in an interview with Xinhua on Monday they installed the solar panel four years ago which has brought a new life for them.

    "We didn't have electricity before. We had nothing to do in the evening. With the installation of solar panel, we can watch television and use mobile phone as well as do some other work in the house," Khalek said.

    The solar panel in Khalek's house can generate 85 watt of power which can support one television, one mobile charger and seven lights.

    Khalek paid 38,792 taka (about 554 U.S. dollars) for installment of the solar panel which can be used for 20 years. Grameen Shakti is responsible for installation and three free maintenance in the first three years.

    "After three years, we will charge 300 taka (4.3 U.S. dollars) per year for maintenance," said Grameen Shakti Regional Manager Faruk Ahmed.

    "But every month, our staff will go to a subscriber's house to check whether the solar panel is running well or not," he said.

    The solar panel is installed on top of the roof and connected with a battery. There is an indicator showing the power situation.

    "It is enough for our daily use. There is no disruption of power since we installed the solar panel," Khalek said.

    Khalek was satisfied with the solar panel. "Since I have paid all the money for the solar panel. I can use free electricity for the following years. It is really a benefit for us," he said.

    Sharmin, a 10-year-old girl, said she could study in the evening after her family installed the solar panel one and half years ago.

    "I like the solar panel. I can do my homework and read my favorite books in the evening," she said.

    300,000 households in Bangladesh are using solar panels provided by Grameen Shakti which was established in 1996 with a purpose to improve the life of rural people in the country.