Kumasi electricians train in solar panel installation
A four-week workshop to train electricians on the installation and maintenance of solar panels has begun in Kumasi.
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The workshop is being organised by the Ghana Telecommunication University College (GTUC) in partnership with the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GECA, Mr Daniel Fosu, said there was a shortage of trained professionals in the installation of solar panels in the country.
That, he said, had contributed to the low adoption of solar energy in the country.
To overcome the challenge, Mr Fosu said the association sought assistance from the university to organise the training workshop for its members.
Alternative energy
In a speech read on his behalf, the President of the GTUC, Dr Osei K. Darkwa, said the training would help meet the growing demand for alternative but cheaper sources of solar energy in Ghana.
He said Ghana was well positioned with adequate radiation to generate sustainable solar for consumption almost throughout the entire year.
“The problems inhibiting the rollout of solar systems as an alternative source of energy in Ghana directly contributes to the negative impact of the energy crisis on socio-economic development, mainly soaring prices, high production costs and living standards,” he said.
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According to him, the lack of qualified personnel who could install and maintain solar panel energy systems in the country had affected the efficiency and rate of deployment of solar energy systems in the country.
In instances where some of the panels had been installed, Dr Darkwa said a significant portion “is done by foreign contractors at a relatively higher cost compared to local labour”.
Dr Darkwa cited the example of the two megawatts solar system at Navrongo which was installed by a Chinese firm, and said officials of the firm would to be flown in when the systems broke down.