article · Solar Compass
Ghana possesses substantial solar resources, with daily solar irradiation ranging between 4 and 6.5 kilowatt-hours per square metre, yet fossil fuels still dominate electricity and heat generation. An evaluation of solar water heating systems for hotels across five Ghanaian cities, including Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Tamale, and Wa, shows that the technology is technically and financially practical. The systems achieved solar fractions between 61.2 percent in Kumasi and 78.5 percent in Wa. All assessed locations demonstrated a positive net present value and acceptable equity payback periods, confirming their commercial viability. In addition, installing these systems in the selected cities can prevent around 58.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. These installations enable hotels to reduce long-term electricity expenditure, curb reliance on fossil fuels, and support broader environmental sustainability targets.
Hotels consume large volumes of energy for water heating, which commonly depends on carbon-intensive electricity or fossil fuels. Confirming that solar water heating is both operationally effective and financially profitable in Ghana gives hospitality operators a practical method to reduce utility bills. It also proves that commercial energy transitions can cut greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing financial performance.
This research provides applied evidence directly relevant to hotel proprietors, facility managers, and renewable energy contractors seeking ready-to-deploy clean energy solutions. Because the analysis evaluates established solar water heating technology against local conditions with positive financial returns, the opportunity appears near-market. It provides the financial metrics needed by commercial lenders and installers to justify capital investment in hospitality sites.
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Ghana has the potential to deploy solar energy technologies, with its solar irradiation varying between 4 and 6.5 kWh/m2/day. However, the country's dependence on fossil fuels for generating electricity and heat remains prevalent. This study aims to assess the technical and financial feasibility of installing solar water heating (SWH) systems in hotels within Ghana. RETScreen software is used to conduct the technical, financial, and emission analyses of the SWH system for five cities in Ghana, including Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Tamale, and Wa. The findings show that SWH systems are feasible for Ghanaian hotels, with solar fractions ranging from 61.2% in Kumasi to 78.5% in Wa. Also, installing the SWH system yields a positive net present value for all the cities. The implication is that installing SWH systems in hotels operating in Ghana is financially viable and attractive for investment. In addition, payback periods infer that the SWH systems can generate a return on investment in a reasonable time frame, especially considering the equity payback period. Furthermore, about 58.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions could be avoided annually by installing the SWH system in the selected cities. This study's findings suggest that hotels can achieve long-term financial savings on electricity costs by utilising solar energy to heat water. This, in turn, reduces their reliance on fossil fuel consumption while actively pursuing their sustainability objectives. The study findings are crucial in assisting hotel owners in making informed decisions on SWH systems.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2023.100051
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