Accra Poly gets solar facility

mp-tec, a solar equipment company, and the German Energy Agency (dena) have inaugurated a €90,000 solar facility on the campus of Accra Polytechnic.

The German solar system integrator, which was constructed in two weeks, has five photovoltaic systems comprising two ground-mounted systems, a solar back-up system, a solar pump and a solar street light system.

The facility was part of dena’s solar educational trail, which falls under its worldwide Renewable Energy Solutions Programme coordinated by Deutche Energie-Agentur GmbH and co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Speaking at an event to unveil the facility, Rector of the Accra Polytechnic Prof. Sylvester Achio said the partnership between the school and the German company is the result of a public private partnership.

Prof. Achio stated that with the right partnership as exhibited by the authorities of Accra Poly, the country stands a chance of making solar energy a key component in its energy mix.

“There is no other source of energy that’s as scalable, environmentally-friendly, and fast to deploy -- making it the perfect package for Ghana in both residential and utility scale power projects.”

The installation of the facility was done under the supervision of mp-tec together with assistance from staff and lecturers of the school.

The German Ambasador to Ghana, John Ruediger, highlighted the importance of the knowledge-transfer manner under which the facility was constructed.

According to Dr. Patrick Fischer, Chief Sales Officer at mp-tec: “We are happy to expose our installations to the critical and knowledgeable decision-makers of tomorrow when it comes solar energy”.

The inauguration was witnessed by representatives of the energy industry as well as the educational sector.

By Richard Annerquaye Abbey | B&FT Online | Ghana