Ghana plans renewable energy investment fund
Ghana plans to accelerate its deployment of renewable energy sources, including solar systems for hospitals, public institutions and smaller companies, through a new green investment fund.
What’s cooking in PV?
Scientists have conducted an analysis of 20 years of academic publications about PV-powered electric cooking and have found interest in the field peaked in 2021-2022 in both developing and developed countries. They have also outlined some potential future developments.
Field manual for off-grid residential PV in remote communities
A research team has constructed a technical field audit among users of solar systems in remote communities in Ghana and has identified some recurring technical issues. Based on the collected data, the scientists have also developed a practical field manual.
New research analyzes performance ratios of bifacial PV
A comparison between monofacial and bifacial PV systems in Ghana showed how changes in system parameters can affect the bifacial gains. The researchers found that changing the albedo of a land-based system can increase the bifacial gain from 5.25% to 14.5%.
Ghana opens bidding for 35 minigrid, solar net-metering projects
Ghana’s Ministry of Energy is now welcoming applications for the design, supply and installation of 35 minigrid and solar PV net-metering projects to be located at a range of island and lakeside communities in the west African country.
Research shows polycrystalline panels from 11 different producers degrade more than warranty rate
A research group in Ghana has conducted a series of tests to assess the performance of polycrystalline solar modules in PV systems operating in their home country for at least 5 years. They found that the vast majority of the panels may ‘fail’ before 20 years in operation under outdoor conditions.
German solar supplier lands fresh $3m from EU entity
Redavia, which leases plug-and-play solar systems to commercial clients in Africa, secured the fresh credit line after settling a previous $2 million loan supplied by the EDFI ElectriFI European development finance institution.
Huawei, Meinergy plan 1GW/500MWh solar-storage project in Ghana
Huawei and Meinergy plan to build a facility that could end up being Africa’s largest solar-plus-storage project. Huawei will supply its storage tech for the installation.
Zinc miner goes solar as African Development Bank pushes off-grid finance
A business based at a Namibian mine has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement which will back the construction of a 5.4MW solar project. Elsewhere, the AfDB wants to roll-out solar panels to provide electricity access to six million people across six nations over the next six years.
African Energy Week highlights lack of support for renewables
The closing day of the African Energy Week event held in South Africa this month heard voices casting doubt on a renewables-only energy transition and calling for a gradual change and continued investment in petrochemical production.
