Climate characteristics of Ghana
It lies within the tropics, with average annual temperatures ranging from 26 to 29°C; there is no marked change in season. The year may thus be divided into a wet season, stretching roughly from May to October, and a dry season, from November to April. Annual rainfall along the coast measures from 1,200 to 1,800 mm, while in the northern region it ranges from 600 to 1,200 mm. This in turn places special demands on the performance of solar panels, especially with regard to heat and humidity resistance.Basic Classification and Characteristics of Solar Panels
Solar panels mainly include the following types: 1. Monocrystalline silicon solar panels: possess the advantages of high conversion efficiency (15%-22%), long life, and low light attenuation. The production cost is high because high-purity silicon materials and complex processes are required. 2. Polycrystalline silicon solar panels: The costs are relatively lower. The conversion efficiency is a little lower than that of monocrystalline silicon. The performance under the condition of high temperature and low light intensity is good, but the attenuation of light is faster. 3. Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar panels: The cost of CIGS solar panels is very low. It also has the advantages of light weight and ease in flexing, but it lacks stability. 4. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels: These photovoltaic panels have a relatively low cost. All CdTe photovoltaic cells can run well under low light and at high temperatures.Type of Solar Panels most suitable for Ghana
There is abundant sunlight in Ghana along with very harsh climatic conditions; therefore, the high conversion efficiency of the monocrystalline silicon solar panels makes them very suitable for Ghana in view of their long life and excellent weather resistance. For example, Accra - the capital city of Ghana - receives over 3,000 hours every year of sunshine, which is ideal for installing high-efficiency solar panels. Although the initial investment cost is expensive, the high efficiency and stability of the monocrystalline silicon panel can justify this investment in its long-term use, putting into consideration the growing demand for clean energy in Ghana.
Besides, it is also worth paying attention to the new N-type solar panels. N-type panels have higher efficiency, a lower temperature coefficient, and low LID sensitivity compared with P-type panels. That is the reason why this type of panel can maintain high performance at high temperatures. Due to the development of technology and cost reduction, N-type panels are widely used in the market. For example, it is expected that at the latest by 2025, N-type panels will be significantly cheaper and thus can enlarge their competitive capacity in the world market.
Operational and maintenance costs
Apart from the initial cost of acquisition, there are installation and maintenance costs. While monocrystalline silicon panels demand a higher level of initial investment, they tend to save more money over a long period due to their longer service life and lower maintenance requirements. Some solar projects in Ghana use monocrystalline silicon panels whose average lifespan is more than 25 years, way above the average service life of polycrystalline silicon panels.Cost-Benefit Analysis
In general, massive long-term economic benefit can be obtained from the mono-crystalline silicon solar panel. Although the short-term investment is a bit higher, with excellent performance and a long service life, the total cost over the lifecycle will be much lower. A study estimated that installations of monocrystalline silicon solar panels in Ghana would yield recovery of their investment cost in a period of five years and thus save a large amount of electricity bills in the entire life cycle.Future Trends
More high-performance and low-cost solar panel technologies may appear with the development of technology in the future. For example, perovskite solar cells attract much attention in recent years due to their potential high conversion efficiency and very low production cost. In the next few years, commercialization of this new kind of solar cell could bring more options for Ghana with the deepening of research.
In general, because of its high efficiency, stability, and adaptability in Ghana's harsh climate, the mono crystalline silicon solar panel has become one of the solutions people preferred to use in most solar projects of the country in recent years.
Inquiry
Online Chat