Barua is the pioneer of solar energy in Bangladesh and played a role in the conceptualization resulting to the initiation of Grameen Bank project in later part of 1976. From then Barua started his creative work as a co-founder of Grameen Bank and dedicated himself 35 years for building Grameen Bank. As Co-Founder of Grameen Bank, he he was Deputy Managing Director until December 2009. He is also the main architect of the Grameen Shakti. Barua received 14 different national and international awards including Energy Globe Award (Austria) 2002, International Microfinance Awards from PlaNet Finance (Paris), 2009, Mowlana Abdul Hamid Khan Vashani award and the IDCOL Solar Prize in 2008. Barua was awarded the First Zayed Future Energy Prize 2009 from Abu Dhabi, UAE as the first winner of the Prize since its introduction by Abu Dhabi Government, UAE. Barua became Ambassador of the Global 100% RE Campaign – the first international initiative that advocates and inspires change for 100% renewable energy - in May 2014. In 2014, Barua was elected as the President of Bangladesh Solar and Renewable energy Association for the second time.