On May 25, 2024, Professor Dr. Khosru Mohammad Salim, Director of the Green Energy Research Center and Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), led a field trip to the Spectra Solar Park On-Grid Power Plant in Manikganj, near Dhaka. The trip included faculty and staff from the EEE Department and 15 graduate students from the MSc program.

Spectra Solar Park Limited (SSPL), a significant on-grid solar power facility in Bangladesh, spans 140 acres in Manikganj near the river Padma. The plant features 45 MW peak direct current solar photovoltaic system, comprising 37,520 polycrystalline panels each rated at 330 W. With a capacity to supply 35.5 MW of AC power, the plant is projected to generate 50,000 MWh of clean electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 33,200 tons.

The visit provided participants with hands-on experience in operating a large-scale solar power plant, covering government policies, updated tariff rates and essential equipment with control and protection systems. The Green Energy Research Centre at IUB organized the trip, which was sponsored by the Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP).