Driven by a legacy of love and a passion for clean energy, Fahad Haider’s Eminate is transforming lives and communities through solar power.
Solar power is one of the most widely used renewable energy sources in the world today. According to Ember, a global energy think tank, solar contributed to about 18% of global power generation in 2023. A 2021 report by the World Bank noted that Bangladesh has the largest off-grid solar power program in the world. Our Solar Home Systems (SHS) initiative envisions electricity for all, and the progress so far has been commendable as more and more rooftops across residential areas now bear the glint of solar panels. Yet, despite these strides, our current solar power generation still falls far short of its potential. In 2024, Energy Tracker Asia reported that only around 2% of Bangladesh’s total energy came from renewable sources.
EMINATE: EMPOWERING CHANGE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
Eminate, a non-profit organisation, is working to change that. With a mission to expand the adoption of solar power in Bangladesh and other developing and Least Developed Countries (LDC), Eminate brings both passion and purpose to the clean energy conversation. Founded by Fahad Haider, a renewable energy engineer and consultant based in Sydney, Australia, the organisation is committed to empowering communities through clean energy, with a particular focus on engaging youth.
‘Eminate’ is a fusion of ‘emanate’ and ‘Emi,’ the name of Haider’s mother, who passed away after a battle with COVID-19 in 2021. In her memory, Haider turned to the Islamic concept of Sadaqah Jariyah, the act of ongoing charity that continues to benefit others long after the giver has passed, earning them rewards in the afterlife. Through Eminate, he found a way to do good that was both lasting and deeply personal. With his academic and professional background in renewable energy, Haider felt compelled to contribute where he could be most effective. He now inspires individuals and organisations to install solar panels and other sources of clean energy as a means of reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuels. Beyond that, he offers guidance on system design, feasibility, grant applications, as well as system monitoring and maintenance, simplifying the technicalities for those without a technical background.
PIONEERING COMMUNITY PROJECTS AND IMPACT
Eminate raises funds and extends support to those who seek help. Its first fundraising round in 2022 raised around AUD 6,000 through crowdfunding. With that money, two schools in Netrokona were fitted with solar panels and equipped with computers, lights, fans, and furniture. It was Eminate’s first project, and Haider remains proud of its success. Eminate has also collaborated with the Alokito Rhidoy Foundation, which sought solar panel installations. Its team designed a system tailored to their needs, compliant, up to code, and followed up on regularly to ensure the system continues to function as intended.
BUILDING CAPACITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Working mainly on a grassroots level, Haider realised the distinct lack of technical expertise in the Renewable Energy sector. As a result, Eminate has focused on the educational and training aspects of solar, wind, batteries, and so on. The organisation now regularly conducts training sessions, not just in Bangladesh but beyond. Eminate has already helped organisations and companies in Burundi, Dominica, Myanmar, Nigera, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Uganda and has further plans for Vanatua and regions in Oceania and the African continent.
Eminate has never charged a single penny for any of its efforts. It is driven by the will to do good – to battle climate change, to build a liveable earth for future generations, and to promote clean energy as a right, not a privilege. But continuing this fight is not easy. Without significant capital, awareness can’t reach the audiences they need to.
Awareness is critical because while solar panels have indeed become more affordable, they still haven’t received the recognition they deserve in Bangladesh, largely because their true potential remains unseen. Haider explains that one of the biggest reasons solar energy systems underperform in Bangladesh is due to a lack of monitoring and maintenance. Solar panels need regular cleaning and operate on several variables that affect output. Systems can develop faults, but these are fixable if caught early. For example, if the system’s panels malfunction, it could drain the batteries. A battery left drained for too long could become damaged. This means that if left unmonitored, a solar system can become irreparably damaged, making the original investment futile.
Haider notes that Tier-1 solar panels and inverters should easily last ten years with proper care, but they require a higher upfront investment. In Bangladesh, this often feels like a cost too steep, especially when cheaper alternatives are readily available. However, without the habit of regular upkeep, even those fail to deliver long-term value. On top of that, the companies providing the cheaper systems often don’t survive more than two or three years, leaving users without any after-sales service when issues inevitably arise.
ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Small non-profit organisations like Eminate carry a true and honest desire to bring positive change to the world. Eminate’s work directly addresses several Sustainable Development Goals. By raising funds for solar panel installations in remote or rural areas, they contribute to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy for All, and SDG 13 – Climate Action. Through their capacity-building training programs, they touch on SDG 4 – Quality Education. And, together, these efforts ultimately contribute to SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
UNITING FOR A BRIGHTER, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Bangladesh must inspire and support more non-profit initiatives like Eminate. Their small scale of operations means they do not spend a single penny on marketing or branding, but this is exactly where real, grassroots change is happening. Our country remains one of the most vulnerable to climate change, and the outcomes of COP29 have made it abundantly clear that nations like ours, those that need support from the greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting giants, are being left to fend for ourselves. While donations during fundraising rounds are always vital, contributions of talent are just as, if not more, valuable. Organisations like Eminate, working at the intersection of SDGs 7 and 13, require technical expertise to deliver meaningful, long-lasting impact at the community level. And, as Eminate’s work across borders has shown, global solidarity and international support for such non-profits can accelerate our collective progress towards all our SDG goals.
The solar potential in Bangladesh is real and promising. Eminate is confronting the challenges at the micro scale, working with individuals and organisations to remove barriers and build understanding. Greater support for non-profits like Eminate can play a pivotal role in complementing government efforts by helping shape policy, streamlining approval processes, and fostering the political will needed to bring solar energy to the forefront.
In this battle against climate change, it is often the actions at the grassroots level doing the hardest work, and it is our duty to ensure they are heard, uplifted, and empowered.
To learn more about Eminate, follow them on Instagram @eminate_global and LinkedIn /company/eminate-global.
Photographs: Courtesy of Eminate
