Ghana Solar Report

Discover comprehensive insights into the statistics, market trends, and growth potential surrounding the solar panel manufacturing industry in Ghana

  1. “Climate in Ghana.” World Data. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.worlddata.info/africa/ghana/climate.php
  2. “Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country.” Global Solar Atlas. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://globalsolaratlas.info/global-pv-potential-study
  3. “Electricity Prices in Ghana.” GlobalPetrolPrices.com. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/Ghana/electricity_prices/
  4. “Empowering Rural Communities: Ghana’s Rural Electrification Initiative.” Deep Green Power. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://deepgreen-pwr.com/2023/08/06/empowering-rural-communities-ghanas-rural-electrification-initiative/
  5. “Ghana – Energy and Renewables.” Trade.gov. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ghana-energy-and-renewables
  6. “2023 Energy Statistics.” Energy Commission Ghana. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.energycom.gov.gh/newsite/files/2023-energy-Statistics.pdf
  7. “Public Utilities Regulatory Commission 2023 Report.” PURC. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.purc.com.gh/attachment/462359-20230420090433.pdf
  8. “Solar Surging 58% in 2023: 413 GW of Installations Expected Globally.” PV Magazine USA. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/11/28/solar-surging-58-in-2023-413-gw-of-installations-expected-globally/
  9. “Ghana Bui Power to Install 8 Solar Power Plants.” Africa Energy Portal. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://africa-energy-portal.org/news/ghana-bui-power-install-8-solar-power-plants-259-mwp-north-2022
  10. “Ghana Distributed Solar Market Assessment.” IFC. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.ifc.org/en/insights-reports/2021/ghana-distributed-solar-market-assessment
  11. “Ghana Solar Energy Market.” Mordor Intelligence. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/ghana-solar-energy-market
  12. “Average Salary in Ghana.” TimeCamp. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.timecamp.com/average-salary/ghana/
  13. “Ghana Average Salary Survey.” Average Salary Survey. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/ghana
  14. “Average Monthly Income of Ghanaian Workers.” Asetena. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://asetena.com/average-monthly-income-of-ghanaian-workers/
  15. “Ghana Population.” Worldometer. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/ghana-population/
  16. Private Property Ghana. (n.d.). Warehouses for Rent. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://www.privatepropertyghana.com
  17. Ghana Property Centre. (n.d.). Warehouses for Rent in Ghana. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://www.ghanapropertycentre.com/for-rent/warehouse
  18. Modern Ghana. (2023, May 13). Warehouses for Sale/Rent at Tema/Accra. Retrieved July 2, 2024, from https://www.modernghana.com/news/1198931/warehouses-for-salerent-at-temaaccra.html
  19. “Energy Laws and Regulations | Ghana.” Global Legal Insights. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.globallegalinsights.com/practice-areas/energy-laws-and-regulations/ghana/
  20. “Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP).” African Development Bank. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/climate-investment-funds-cif/strategic-climate-fund/scaling-up-renewable-energy-program-in-low-income-countries-srep
  21. “Inside Ghana’s First Module Manufacturing Facility.” PV Tech. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.pv-tech.org/inside-ghanas-first-module-manufacturing-facility/
  22. “Ghana Government Secures $70M for Off-Grid Solar Electrification.” Afrik21. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.afrik21.africa/en/ghana-government-secures-70m-for-off-grid-solar-electrification/
  23. “Renewable Energy Master Plan.” Energy Commission Ghana. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.energycom.gov.gh/files/Renewable-Energy-Masterplan-February-2019.pdf
  24. “Cheaper and Greener: Renewable Sources Are Seeing an Inexorable Rise.” Oxford Business Group. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/reports/colombia/-report/economy/cheaper-and-greener-as-costs-decline-renewable-sources-are-seeing-an-inexorable-rise-particularly-among-developing-economies-10
  25. “Ghana Launches Africa’s Largest Floating Solar Project in Africa.” Africa.com. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.africa.com/ghana-launches-africas-largest-floating-solar-project-in-africa/
  26. “President Commissions 15MW Solar Power Plant at Kaleo.” Ghana News Agency. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-president-commissions-15mw-solar-power-plant-at-kaleo.html
  27. “Ghana Advances Clean Energy with Eight New Solar Plants.” Power Engineering International. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.powerengineeringint.com/solar/ghana-advances-clean-energy-with-eight-new-solar-plants
  28. “PEG Africa.” Persistent. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://persistent.energy/investee/peg-africa/
  29. “Zola Electric.” Zola Electric. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://zolaelectric.com/
  30. “Bui Power Authority.” Bui Power. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://buipower.com/
  31. “Inside Ghana’s First Module Manufacturing Facility.” PV Tech. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://www.pv-tech.org/inside-ghanas-first-module-manufacturing-facility/
  32. “Solar Light for Africa.” Solar Light for Africa. Accessed July 1, 2024. https://solarlightforafrica.org/

Key points

  • All figures have been converted into USD

Yearly sunshine (sun hours per year)

The country of Ghana averages 2,300 hours of sunlight annually, with about 6.3 hours of sunlight per day. 1

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kWh per kWp installed

The average yield for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in Ghana is approximately 1500 to 1800 kWh per kWp per year. 2

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Average cost per kWh from utility company

The average cost of electricity for households in Ghana is approximately USD 0.109 per kWh. For businesses, the price is slightly lower at USD 0.103 per kWh. 3

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Reliability of electrical power supply grid

Urban Areas: Generally high reliability with approximately 50 hours of outages per year. Data from customer calls and SCADA systems show improved reliability with the introduction of smart meters and upgraded infrastructure. 4

Rural Areas: Lower reliability with approximately 150 hours of outages per year. Frequent outages are due to high infrastructure costs and logistical complexities. Efforts to improve reliability include grid extensions, mini-grids, and off-grid solutions like solar home systems.

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Detailed Information

  • All figures have been converted into USD
  • Total solar panel production capacity (installed)

    As of 2023, Ghana’s total installed solar power capacity is 152.3 megawatts (MW). 5

    Total solar panel production capacity (projected)

    Ghana aims to increase its solar capacity to about 1,514 MW by 2030 as part of its renewable energy goals. 5

    Average costs of various electricity generation sources (coal, natural gas, solar, etc)

    6 7

    Solar: The average cost of electricity generation from solar power in Ghana is about USD $0.11 per kWh.

    Natural Gas: The cost of electricity generation from natural gas is around USD $0.08 per kWh.

    Thermal Power (Heavy Fuel Oil): The average cost of electricity generated from coal in Ghana is approximately USD 0.08 to 0.12 per kWh.

    Hydropower: The average cost of electricity generation from hydropower in Ghana is approximately USD $0.04 per kWh.

    Percentages of various electricity generation sources (coal, natural gas, solar, etc)

    6

    Solar: 1.3%
    Natural Gas: 62.6%
    Thermal (Oil): 6.1%
    Hydro: 30%

    Average daily availability of electricity from the national grid (measured in hours)

    6

    Urban Areas: Electricity is available almost 24 hours per day, with no interruption.

    Rural Areas: Availability approximately 16 to 20 hours per day, with more frequent outages compared to urban areas

    Number of residential solar panel installations

    As of 2023, Ghana has seen significant growth in residential solar installation in Ghana, with estimates suggesting over 20,000 installations across the country.6 8

    Total number of solar farms (installed and projected)

    Installed Solar Farms: As of 2023, there are 9 operational solar farms in Ghana. 6

    Projected Solar Farms: An additional 8 solar farms are planned 9

    Off-grid market demand for solar panels (current and projected)

    Current Demand: Ghana’s off-grid solar market has seen significant growth, with a current installed capacity of approximately 200 MW. This demand is primarily driven by rural and remote areas lacking access to the national grid. 10

    Projected Demand: The off-grid solar market in Ghana is expected to continue its expansion, with projections indicating an increase to around 500 MW by 2030. This growth is supported by various initiatives and grants aimed at improving energy access and promoting renewable energy solutions in underserved regions. 11

    On-grid market demand for solar panels (current and projected)

    6 9 11

    Current Demand: As of 2023, Ghana’s on-grid solar market demand is around 152 MW of installed capacity.

    Projected Demand: By 2030, Ghana aims to increase its on-grid solar capacity significantly, targeting approximately 1,382.7 MW.

    Average monthly income of workers in solar industry (labor cost)

    Solar Installers: $100-$210 per month 12

    Electrical Engineers: $250-$420 per month 13

    Project Managers: $330-$540 per month 14

    Population of the country

    As of 2024, the population of Mexico is approximately 34,771,889 people. 15

    Average overhead costs of solar panel production (with a brief breakdown)

    Overhead costs in solar panel production typically include several components which are essential for the business’s operation but are not directly tied to the production of goods. 16 17 18

    Factory Rent in Ghana

    • The average rent for warehouse spaces in Accra, Ghana, varies between $3 to $6.5 per square meter per month, depending on the location and facilities provided. For instance, in Tema, you can find warehouse spaces for $5.5 per square meter per month, including facilities like water, electricity, and security services.

    Industrial Electricity Rates

    • The industrial electricity rate in Ghana is approximately $0.15 per kWh. This rate includes the costs associated with power generation, distribution, and applicable taxes.

    Water Costs

    • The cost of water for industrial use in Ghana is around $1.50 per cubic meter (m³). This rate can vary depending on the region and specific usage requirements.

    Key Components of Administrative Costs

    Salaries and Wages:

    • The average annual salary for a Solar Photovoltaic Installer in Ghana is around $12,000, with a range typically between $8,000 and $20,000 depending on experience and specific job roles.

    Office Supplies and Equipment:

    • The cost for office supplies such as stationery in Ghana ranges from $2 to $20 per item, with professional tools often costing more than $30.

    Rent for Office Space:

    • The rent for office spaces in Accra ranges from $4 to $14 per square meter per month, depending on the location and amenities provided.

    Insurance:

    • The average spending per capita in the property insurance market in Ghana is estimated to be around $4.00 in 2024, indicating the importance of protecting business assets.

    A summary of the energy infrastructure

    Mexico’s energy infrastructure is a comprehensive system that includes generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Key data points about the infrastructure are as follows: 5 19 20

    Total Installed Capacity:

    • Ghana’s total installed capacity, including distributed generation, is approximately 5,449.1 MW as of 2023. The dependable capacity stands at 4,975.2 MW.

    Electricity Generation:

    • In 2023, Ghana’s total electricity generation reached around 23,617 GWh. The generation mix includes significant contributions from thermal (natural gas, oil, and diesel) and hydropower sources.

    Electricity Consumption:

    • The total electricity consumption in Ghana was projected to be approximately 23,617 GWh for 2023, with a 5.8% increase expected for 2024.

    Grid Infrastructure:

    • The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) is responsible for the transmission of electricity across the country. The distribution is mainly managed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo). The electricity access rate is 86.63%, with 91% of urban residents and 50% of rural residents connected to the grid.

    Clean Energy Transition:

    • Ghana has committed to increasing the share of renewable energy in its national energy mix. The Renewable Energy Master Plan aims to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 2,514 MW by 2030, with solar power making up 1,382.7 MW of this targe

    Investment in Renewable Energy:

    • Significant investments are being made to boost renewable energy capacity. The government has implemented policies such as feed-in tariffs, subsidies, and grants to encourage private sector participation and attract foreign investments in renewable energy projects.

    Some of the government regulations surrounding solar panel production

    Renewable Energy Act 2011 (Act 832): 19

    • Act promotes the development and utilization of renewable energy resources in Ghana. It provides a framework for investments and includes incentives such as feed-in tariffs to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources, including solar power.

    Net Metering Regulation: 20

    • This regulation allows consumers who generate their own electricity from renewable sources (like solar panels) to feed surplus electricity back into the national grid. It is part of the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programme (SREP) which aims to implement net-metered solar PV systems for urban and peri-urban electricity consumers.

    Energy Sector Recovery Program (ESRP): 21

    • Initiated in May 2019, this program aims to improve the financial sustainability of Ghana’s energy sector. It includes measures to support distributed generation of solar projects and government-backed solar initiatives to enhance energy access and reliability.

    Government initiatives in solar panel production (includes investments and subsidies)

    22 23 24

    AfDB Partnership for Rural Electrification:

    • The Ghanaian government secured $69.88 million from the African Development Bank to implement rural electrification through stand-alone solar systems, including the installation of 38 mini-grids and 12,000 rooftop solar systems for businesses and households. This initiative aims to enhance electricity access and reduce costs, supporting low-carbon socio-economic development.

    Tax Exemptions:

    • To support the solar sector, the Ghanaian government provides exemptions on duties and VAT for imported solar panels and off-grid solar components. This policy reduces the cost of solar installations for consumers and businesses, encouraging the adoption of renewable energy solutions.

    Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP):

    • The SREP aims to accelerate access to clean energy by focusing on solar projects that include mini-grids and rooftop systems. This program is part of a broader effort to increase renewable energy adoption and achieve universal electricity access in Ghana.

    Renewable Energy Master Plan:

    • Ghana’s Renewable Energy Master Plan outlines a strategy to enhance the use of renewable energy, including solar, aiming for a 10% contribution to the national energy mix by 2030. This comprehensive plan includes various policies and initiatives to promote renewable energy investments and infrastructure development.

    Solar Rooftop Programme:

    • This initiative involves installing solar panels on the roofs of homes and public buildings to reduce utility costs and promote renewable energy usage. The program offers capital subsidies to participants, who pay only for the balance of system components, while the Energy Commission provides the solar panels. This scheme is part of Ghana’s effort to increase solar energy adoption and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

    Notable solar projects in the country (installed and projected)

    25 26 27

    Installed Projects

    Bui Solar Power Plant:

    • Location: Bono Region
    • Capacity: 5 MW
    • Details: This floating solar PV system at the Bui Generating Station is part of a hybrid plant combining solar and hydro resources to generate renewable energy.

    Kaleo Solar Project:

    • Location: Upper West Region
    • Capacity: 15 MW
    • Details: Funded by the German government and the EU, this project aims to provide low-cost electricity to about 50,000 households and help reduce carbon emissions.

    Projected Projects

    Ghana Mini Grid and Solar PV Net Metering Project:

    • Location: Various island and lakeside communities
    • Capacity: 35 minigrids
    • Details: Funded by the AfDB, World Bank’s CIF, and the Swiss government, this project involves the design, supply, and installation of solar PV systems to enhance energy access.

    Eight New Solar Plants:

    • Location: Northern Ghana (Yendi, Buipe, Sawla, etc)
    • Capacity: various
    • Details: The Bui Power Authority plans to construct eight new solar plants in northern Ghana, beginning in the first quarter of next year, to increase renewable energy production.

    Some of the notable solar companies (plus brief details on what they do)

    Peg Africa 28

    • Details: Peg Africa provides pay-as-you-go solar energy solutions to underserved communities, offering solar home systems that include lighting, phone charging, and small appliances. They focus on making solar energy affordable through flexible payment plans.

    Zola Electric 29

    • Details: Zola Electric (formerly Off Grid Electric) offers solar and battery solutions for homes and businesses. Their products range from solar home systems to advanced energy storage systems, designed to provide reliable power even in off-grid locations.

    Bui Power Authority (BPA) 30

    • Details: The BPA is responsible for managing the Bui hydroelectric project and developing solar energy projects such as the Bui Solar Power Plant, contributing to the diversification of Ghana’s energy mix with renewable sources.

    Strategic Power Solutions (SPS) 31

    • Details: SPS manufactures solar panels and provides off-grid components and PV systems. They are involved in producing both poly and mono solar modules and offer installation products for various applications.

    Solar Light Company Ltd. 32

    • Details: Solar Light Company Ltd. offers a wide range of solar products including solar street lights, home systems, and water heaters. They focus on providing energy solutions that reduce electricity costs and promote environmental sustainability.

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