According to a research conducted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research of the University of Ghana, between 45 and 47 percent of the entire population have access to grid electricity. In recent years, the country has been facing challenges supplying electricity to its users, therefore the need to ration power to Ghanaians.

Many countries in America and Europe depend on other sources of power including wind, nuclear, geothermal, coal and solar, but in Ghana, alternative sources of power that most homes are looking forward to use is solar energy, therefore our focus on the latter.

Q: What is solar energy?

A: Solar energy is the harnessing of light and heat from the sun using technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaic, or solar architecture. Solar energy is captured and distributed in two ways: actively or passively. Active distribution is the use of photovoltaic or the solar panels to capture power and distribute power from the sun.

Q: How are solar panels installed?

A: This is a system that you need professionals to install in your home. There are several companies in Ghana currently installing them for homes and corporations. These specialists will be able to provide you all the answers you need including the type of system to go for. The type of system also depends on the amount of energy you will need to power your appliances.

Q: How much will I need to install one in my home?

A: According to real estate agent Anthony Boateng, who also imports solar panel into the country, a small system that powers basic appliances and smaller rooms costs about $2,000. “It is expensive to acquire them initially but in the long term, it is cheaper because there will be no running costs on diesel. We have sold the idea to a lot of developers but the idea has not still caught on yet.”

Q: What are some of the advantages of installing a solar system in my home?

A: They are renewable, can be used in rural areas, and are free except the initial costs made during the installation process and do not cause pollution.

Do you use solar energy in your home? What has been your experience? We would like you to share them with us.