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RE: Potential Solutions To Our Pressing Challenges In Ghana - Electricity.
I believe the government is well aware of these potential highlights. And yes there is a solar panel farm harnessing solar energy and adding to the grid here in Navrongo.
Yet these are not enough. I believe the problem is not in inadequate power generation facilities but lack of proper maintenance of the available facilities.
I am not saying the government shouldn't set up more solar fields in Navrongo but think of the environmental implications of such projects too. Large fields of land have to be cleared which will contribute to worsening the climatic conditions in Navrongo
The problems of power generation are dire a need careful reconsideration
Solar energy is unlike Wind turbine generators and hydro power were an entire community can be dislocated or where large forest can be cleared for the project , destroying governmental projects and so on. During my undergraduate project work , a feasibility study was conducted to assess the potential of cascading the down stream of Kpong dam for hydro power generation. Though per my findings , the hydropower that could be generated was good enough but the environmental effects or implications were too much of which we did not consider it as a good idea to put up another dam under Kpong. The impact of solar energy is very minimal. If you have realised , a roof top can be used to install it . It is all about the correct angle of inclination of 15° .As for the feasibility, they are dully and fully aware remember it takes a number years to initiate it. Bui dam for instance was discovered in 1925 but it was initiated and completed in early 2000s. The thermal energy which we largely depend on aside the Akosombo is intermittent and also contribute hugely to global warming. Remember it runs on fossil fuel unlike solar which is clean , eco-friendly and renewable.
Sure, Solar energy is clean. It is preferable but still needs the field. How convenient will mounting on rooftops be? not to talk of how expensive it is to set it up in the first place
Thermal power plant comes with huge initial capital aside the environmental pollution. I made mention of roof top to clear the environmental issues you raised earlier. Elsewhere roof top is functioning well . Even individuals connect their excess power to the national grid and they earn from it . Hydro , wind , thermal , tidal , geothermal all comes with huge initial capital. I am of the view that , if different countries are able to utilise renewable energy effectively why can't we do the same?