STEM

Permanent URI for this collection

https://datad1.aau.org/handle/123456789/1382

Browse

Browsing STEM by Author "Aboagye, Bernard"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Degradation analysis of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) modules under outdoor conditions in Ghana
    (Energy Reports, 2021-08-25) Aboagye, Bernard; Gyamf, Samuel; Antwi Ofosu, Eric
    Photovoltaic (PV) module degradation rate depends on technology, manufacturer and environmental conditions. This makes it challenging to transfer the results of degradation analysis from one country to another. Thus, the increase in deployment of PV systems in Ghana makes degradation analysis a necessity. This study quantified the degradation rates and predicted the lifetime of 16 PV systems of different module technologies and age groups installed in different locations under outdoor conditions in Ghana to provide a better understanding of the long-term behavior of installed PV systems in Ghana. It presented the frequency distribution of output power degradation of different PV module technologies, estimated their power degradation rates, and predicted and compared the lifetime of these technologies. The country was grouped into three strata and 104 PV modules of different technologies which were older than 5 years were selected from 16 PV systems in these strata, depending on availability and accessibility. The electrical parameters of the PV modules were measured by current–voltage (IV) tracing. The results revealed that crystalline silicon modules degraded less than amorphous silicon. The median and mean power degradation rates of, monocrystalline silicon were 1.23%/year and 1.37%/year respectively, polycrystalline silicon were 1.35%/year and 1.44%/year respectively and, amorphous silicon were 1.65%/year and 1.67%/year respectively. Overall, the median and mean predicted lifetime of the PV systems (crystalline and amorphous silicon) were 14 year and 16 years respectively but the median lifetime of both monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules was 16 years while that of amorphous was 13 years. It was predicted that 50% of PV modules studied would fail before 15 years, indicating that most of the PV modules in Ghana are unlikely to operate for the 25 years warranty, signifying less power output and shorter lifetime of the modules which could discourage the widespread implementation of PV systems in Ghana
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Status of renewable energy resources for electricity supply in Ghana
    (Scientific African, 2020-12-09) Aboagye, Bernard; Gyamf, Samuel; Ofosu, Eric Antwi
    The Government of Ghana has defined key targets for its energy sector to provide electricity for all the citizens by the end of 2020. Renewable energy has been identified as one of the promising options for electricity generation in Ghana. Thus, Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 882) was espoused to provide regulatory framework and monetary incentives to boost private sector investment and promote the use of renewable energy in efficient and sustainable manner. There is also a target to contribute 10% renewable energy (excluding large hydro) to the electricity generation mix by 2020. To achieve this target, the Government provides a lot of support for investment in renewable energy. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the status of renewable energy penetration in Ghana’s electricity supply mix after the Renewable Energy Act was adopted. The review mainly focused on renewable energy resources, current generation status and their applications, and ongoing renewable energy projects in Ghana, with comparative information from five countries spread across Africa; Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, that are also focused on development of renewable energy resources. The review reveled that renewable energy resources abound in Ghana that could be promoted for economic development and reduce the negative effects of climate change. However, a small fraction of the renewable energy potential has been exploited for electricity supply despite the Government’s efforts to promote and increase renewable energy technologies in the country. The renewable energy target of 10% by the year 2020 is unlikely to be achieved as most of the policy instruments in the Renewable Energy Act could not be fully operationalised to boost renewable energy investment. The government has therefore, extended the 10% target to the year 2030 and has come up with Renewable Energy Master Plan with estimated investments required to achieve the target