By Julian Owusu-Abedi
Stakeholders in the solar energy industry drawn from across the world ended a two day workshop in Accra yesterday to further heighten the awareness about the urgent need to turn to solar energy to cut down the burden of over loading on the national grid and also to leverage experienced partnership amongst the industry players.
Speaking in an interview with the head of events of Solar Media, organizers of the workshop, Jo-Anne Duff indicated that they first organized some workshop on solar energy in Kenya, East Africa and the feedback was fantastic so they realized that West Africa was un-served and that Ghana was obviously the perfect destination because ?the delegates were of the view that Ghana has the right attributes, stable democracy and also have the policy frame work in place.?
Jo-Anne stated that the conference is all about showing people that there good business opportunity? impact investing and the charity is great but people want to do business with each other and invest in the sectors of renewable energy which will create jobs and training for a lot more people.
In a separate interview with Gilbert Okai, the business developer and strategist of Nyansapo Solar, the only Ghanaian company which was present at the conference said, a critical and conscientious effort needs to be directed at promoting and encouraging the use of solar power which he believes will largely reduce the strain on the national grid at nearly little or no cost compared to the thermal and other sources available today.
He said, Ghana is so close to the Equator and receives close to eleven and half hours of ?free? sunlight which needs to be harnessed and converted into energy to power homes and to meet some basic needs.
Mr. Okai explained that ?it almost feels like some golden coins dropping from the skies into ones palm and when we collect them and save in our pockets we are able to use it in times of need when the supply cuts?.
He said, as the nation grows and population increase the energy needs automatically goes up as well and therefore the need to consider the solar energy as a ?can?t-do-without alternative?.
Mr. Okai noted that the conference is a step in the right direction but most of the delegates or participants are rather targeting the big scale contracts which really doesn?t address the immediate power short fall because the lower class can?t afford and that is how Nyansapo working in partnership with ZedEnergy comes in handy.
He said, Nyansapo Solaroffers integrated solutions which includes building for homes; supply domestic and commercial systems with high quality storage facility.
Source: Gilbert Okai – business developer and strategist of Nyansapo Solar
