Krakye Jantuah, we have to also think wind in addition to thinking solar. This is the way to go if we desire prosperity for Ghana. It is inexcusable & crazy to experience dumsor while we have radiant sun shining on us daily ... read full comment
Krakye Jantuah, we have to also think wind in addition to thinking solar. This is the way to go if we desire prosperity for Ghana. It is inexcusable & crazy to experience dumsor while we have radiant sun shining on us daily and the gushing wind blowing unceasingly from our mountains and shores. Don!t tell me we've been clueless about utilizing renewable energy since the '90's. All our leaders have been incompetent on this score!
Activist 7 years ago
WIND PARK,SOLAR & EVEN WASTE ENERGY COULD SOLVE THE DUMSOR PROBLEM THAN THIS SMOKEY KARPOWER ENERGY.
WIND PARK,SOLAR & EVEN WASTE ENERGY COULD SOLVE THE DUMSOR PROBLEM THAN THIS SMOKEY KARPOWER ENERGY.
Shamo 7 years ago
I HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS BEFORE, GHANAIAN LEADER'S ALWAYS WAIT TO THE LAST MINUTE BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION, SOLAR IS THE BEST WAY TO GO. THE GOVERNMENT NEED TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE'S, TOWNS WITH SOLAR AND THE HYDRO ... read full comment
I HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS BEFORE, GHANAIAN LEADER'S ALWAYS WAIT TO THE LAST MINUTE BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION, SOLAR IS THE BEST WAY TO GO. THE GOVERNMENT NEED TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE'S, TOWNS WITH SOLAR AND THE HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER CAN GO TO THE INDUSTRY'S, SIMPLE COMMOSENSE.THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CONTACT THE U.S TO HELP WITH A VERY VERY GOOD SOLAR PANEL'S NOT FROM CHINA, THE U.S BUILT THE AKOSOBO DAM AND THEY WARN KWAME NKURMAH THAT YOUR POPULATIONS WILL GROW SO YOU WILL NEED A BACK UP, BUT KWAME NKURMAH DID NOT LISTEN TO THEM AND NOW SEE WHAT IS GOING ON, GHANAIANS LEADER'S ALWAYS LIKE TO PLAY GAMES WITH PEOPLE'S LIFE BECAUSE THEY DON'T CARE.. BOTH PARTY'S DON'T HAVE ANY IDEAS, BUT TO RUN AROUND TELLING LIES, MORE POWER HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THE CHIEF'S AND LEADERS IN THE VILLAGE'S DONE THIS STUPID MP'S. IDEAS CAN COME FROM OTHERS IN THE VILLAGE'S DONE MP'S, GHANA NEEDS A PRIME MINISTER TO RULE SO THAT MORE POWER CAN BE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE, CORRUPTION WTHIN THE GOVERNMENT IS WHAT IS BRINGING THE COUNTRY DOWN, BUT GHANAIANS DON'T NEED ONE MORE CLEAN UP JUST LIKE J.J RAWLINGS DID, BUT IF THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEMS THAN THAT IS OK.
The cost of electricity from large-scale solar installations now is comparable to and sometimes cheaper than natural gas-fired power, even without incentives aimed at promoting environmentally friendly power, according to industry players and outside cost studies.
Buoyed by appeals to self-reliance and environmental stewardship, as well as government subsidies, the early solar industry was dominated by rooftop panels that powered individual homes and businesses. But such small-scale installations are expensive, requiring hefty incentives to make them attractive to homeowners.
Today, large systems that sell directly to utilities dominate. They are expected to account for more than 70 percent of new solar added to the grid this year, according to industry research firm GTM Research.
The success of large-scale solar has raised questions about the wisdom of continuing incentives for rooftop installations, which remain far more expensive than most other forms of electricity. Unsubsidized utility-scale solar power costs $50 to $70 per megawatt-hour (or 5 to 7 cents a kilowatt hour), compared with $52 to $78 for the most efficient type of gas plant, according to a 2015 study by investment bank Lazard.
Generating power from residential rooftop panels is far more expensive, ranging from $184 to $300 a MWh before subsidies, the report said.
“If you take a solar panel from someone's rooftop and put it in a field, the amount you would pay for that power drops precipitously," said Matt Freedman, an attorney with California ratepayer advocate The Utility Reform Network. "What's the magic of having it on the rooftop? It’s not clear."
GOING BIG Many trace the tipping point for utility-scale solar to a 2014 announcement by Austin Energy that it would buy power from a new 150 megawatt solar plant – enough to light and cool 30,000 homes - for 5 cents a kilowatt hour. At the time, it was a record low price for solar power. Since then, projects have brought the price below 4 cents a kWh.
The Austin Energy contract opened a market for big solar in sunny Southeastern states, Jim Hughes, chief executive of utility-scale solar developer First Solar told investors in April.
"The response has been, quite honestly, astonishing," Hughes told them. "The utility world suddenly sat up and took notice and said, I had no idea that's where the cost of solar stood."
Large-scale solar is taking off even in states without policies promoting green power.
Georgia, for example, was the sixth-largest U.S. solar market last year with very little rooftop solar.
“We don't need mandates," said Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, a member of the Georgia Public Service Commission, who is widely credited with helping jumpstart the state's solar industry. Utilities in states like North Carolina, Texas and Alabama also are building large-scale solar facilities because it makes financial sense.
"We are seeing large swaths of centralized utility scale solar be procured primarily because of how cost competitive it is," said Cory Honeyman, who follows the U.S. solar industry for market research firm GTM Research. "That's a different kind of narrative."
SUBSIDY SCRUTINY Rooftop installers like SolarCity enjoyed rapid growth thanks in part to a marketing message that peddles the romance and freedom of generating emissions-free power at home. And, for homeowners in states with favorable policies, rooftop panels can be a good investment, ultimately offering savings.
But the math only works in places with so-called "net metering" laws, which require utilities to buy the electricity rooftop panels generate at prices far above what they pay for centralized power.
To what extent governments and ratepayers should support rooftop solar is a matter of debate in several state legislatures and utility commissions.
Opponents argue that as more homeowners go solar, other ratepayers are left to shoulder the cost of maintaining the electrical grid, which solar owners still use when the sun isn't shining.
Advocates counter that the higher the concentration of rooftop solar systems in a neighborhood, the less a utility has to spend on distribution to shore up grid reliability.
Last year, at least 24 states reviewed or made decisions to study the value of rooftop solar, according to the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, which compiles a database of state renewable energy incentives. The studies aim to determine what benefits, if any, on-site solar delivers above the simple cost of power.
But there is little consensus. In Louisiana and California, for instance, studies commissioned by state regulators found that net metering policies resulted in higher costs for all ratepayers. Studies in Mississippi and Minnesota, on the other hand, found the policy provided a net benefit. A major difference among the studies is whether they consider as part of the equation the environmental benefits of solar, which can be difficult to quantify.
“I'd put the value of solar in the eye of the beholder," said Brian Lips, who manages the incentives database for the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center.
Rooftop solar's dependence on incentives is a key reason investors have punished solar stocks in the last year.
Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA) is seeking to take advantage of that weakness by buying rooftop installer SolarCity.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder and chief executive, also is the chairman of and largest shareholder in SolarCity. Musk has touted the benefits of bundling rooftop solar with home battery storage and electric cars in promoting the takeover.
But many of the electric vehicle maker’s shareholders are wary of a deal they see as risky.
And last year, hedge fund manager David Tepper sought to block SunEdison and TerraForm Power Inc's (TERP.O) acquisition of installer Vivint Solar Inc (VSLR.N) on his assessment that rooftop assets were inferior to solar power plants, which have long-term contracts with utilities.
In a bid to stay relevant, some rooftop solar companies are expanding their repertoire. In May, for instance, SolarCity introduced a set of services for utilities, including development of solar power plants, battery storage and other grid planning resources.
SunPower said in June it would it would offer solar systems with battery storage to 300 New York homeowners in what would serve as a "virtual power plant" to utility Con Edison.
(Reporting by Nichola Groom; Editing by Sue Horton and Lisa Girion)
Godwin 7 years ago
the only way foward is to invest in renewable energy eg solar, wind and waste to energy. this thermal and coal generations wont solve the problem and beside they are very costly.
the only way foward is to invest in renewable energy eg solar, wind and waste to energy. this thermal and coal generations wont solve the problem and beside they are very costly.
agyapee147 7 years ago
With all the dumsor wahala and govnt keep taxes on solar equipment importation suggest to me that the executive and legislative arms of government are sleeping deep.
With all the dumsor wahala and govnt keep taxes on solar equipment importation suggest to me that the executive and legislative arms of government are sleeping deep.
Kwaku Bio 7 years ago
Does Mr. Kwame Jantuah use solar at his home? Has he visited some of the test solar lighting and solar-well project installations in the rural areas? Has he visited KNUST to know the REAL energy performance of Solar PV panels ... read full comment
Does Mr. Kwame Jantuah use solar at his home? Has he visited some of the test solar lighting and solar-well project installations in the rural areas? Has he visited KNUST to know the REAL energy performance of Solar PV panels being tested viz-a-viz the claims by manufacturers?
Solar PV is not all about the sun. It is about Solar Panels, Batteries, Technology and economics.
Prices of Solar PV systems are dropping but they are yet to make better economic and investment sense compared to gas plants, coal plants and other other fossil-based energy sources which can supply power continuously on 24/7 duty.
kofi pra 7 years ago
WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND OF KWAME JANTUAH.IS HE A LAWYER AS HE CLAIMED SOMETIME? AN ENGINEER? WHAT QUALIFIES HIM AS AN ENERGY EXPERT?
WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND OF KWAME JANTUAH.IS HE A LAWYER AS HE CLAIMED SOMETIME? AN ENGINEER? WHAT QUALIFIES HIM AS AN ENERGY EXPERT?
Krakye Jantuah, we have to also think wind in addition to thinking solar. This is the way to go if we desire prosperity for Ghana. It is inexcusable & crazy to experience dumsor while we have radiant sun shining on us daily ...
read full comment
WIND PARK,SOLAR & EVEN WASTE ENERGY COULD SOLVE THE DUMSOR PROBLEM THAN THIS SMOKEY KARPOWER ENERGY.
I HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS BEFORE, GHANAIAN LEADER'S ALWAYS WAIT TO THE LAST MINUTE BEFORE THEY TAKE ACTION, SOLAR IS THE BEST WAY TO GO. THE GOVERNMENT NEED TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE'S, TOWNS WITH SOLAR AND THE HYDRO ...
read full comment
Big solar is leaving rooftop systems in the dust
By Nichola Groom
A SolarCity Corp. employee installs a solar panel on the roof of a home in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif. on May 7, 2014.© Patrick ...
read full comment
the only way foward is to invest in renewable energy eg solar, wind and waste to energy. this thermal and coal generations wont solve the problem and beside they are very costly.
With all the dumsor wahala and govnt keep taxes on solar equipment importation suggest to me that the executive and legislative arms of government are sleeping deep.
Does Mr. Kwame Jantuah use solar at his home? Has he visited some of the test solar lighting and solar-well project installations in the rural areas? Has he visited KNUST to know the REAL energy performance of Solar PV panels ...
read full comment
WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND OF KWAME JANTUAH.IS HE A LAWYER AS HE CLAIMED SOMETIME? AN ENGINEER? WHAT QUALIFIES HIM AS AN ENERGY EXPERT?