Alternative sources of affordable energy supply advocated 


The Director at the Kumasi Campus of the Ghana Technology University College, Dr George Oppong Ampong says the current crisis of inadequate and unreliable energy supply leading to high utility cost calls for a committed look for alternative sources of affordable energy supply including solar. 

He was speaking at a training programme in solar installation for one hundred and 20  electrical contractors from the Ashanti Region in Kumasi. 

Ghana’s current energy supply is heavily dependent on renewable hydro electricity. 

The current crisis has largely been driven by the high demand for power for both residential and commercial use as well as high operational costs among others. These factors account for the current power crisis being faced by the country. 

The impending energy shortage coupled with environmental problems associated with the use of fossil fuel motivates the critical need for Ghana to invest in a much expanded clean energy supply such as Solar Photovoltaic Energy System. 

It is for this reason that the Ghana Technology University College in partnership with Tradeworks, an expert in solar Photovoltaic systems installation in Ghana, Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training, COTVET and Ghana Electrical Contractors Association to train members in solar PV installation techniques. 

The electricians for the coming six weeks are being trained in basic rule of thumb sizing, site location selection, installation, maintenance, safety and consumer service practices. 

The Regional Chairman of the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association, David Ofosu and the Research Officer of the GECA, Eric Adu Gyamfi stressed the need for the participants to take the programme serious as it is going to help them to assist in finding solution to the current energy crisis. It is also going to improve on their knowledge and skills in handling all technical works on solar panel installation.
 
The Director at the Kumasi Campus of the Ghana Technology University, Dr. Oppong Ampong said the program is the first of many such training planned for the members to equip them with expertise in solar installation. 

He noted that the training will also offer benefits to Ghana’s efforts to increase the use of solar energy and reduce energy consumption of conventional fossil based fuel with subsequent green house gas emission reduction. 

Dr. Ampong charged the contractors to train others to make Ghana sufficient in solar energy use. 

The contractors appealed to government to reduce high taxes on solar related equipment to ensure maximum patronage as the current high cost on solar assembling plant is disincentive to consumers.

GBC