Examining the adoption and non-adoption of solar PV among small and medium-scale enterprises in the greater Accra region of Ghana
Master thesis
Åpne
Permanent lenke
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3171025Utgivelsesdato
2024-12-02Metadata
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- Department of Geography [698]
Sammendrag
This study investigates the adoption and non-adoption behaviours of solar photovoltaics (PV) among small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study applied insights from the diffusion of innovation and social technical theories. SMEs play crucial contribution to the socio-economic development of Ghana. Yet, they face myriads of challenges, especially their inability in securing stable and affordable energy to remain viable and competitive. This threatens their overall profit margins, productivity and longevity. In the light of this, this study, explored the knowledge gaps of SMEs about solar PV, the potential of solar PV to satisfy the energy requirements of SMEs, the factors influencing the adoption and non-adoption of solar PV among SMEs as well as the existing challenges hampering SMEs adoption of solar PV in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative design using case studies. The fieldwork was conducted in Ghana between March and April, 2024. The Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. In all, a total of 28 respondents were interviewed during the fieldwork. This study found the following as the potentials of solar PV among Ghanaian SMEs: cost-savings potential, availability of sunshine, stable supply of electricity, ability to ensure environmental sustainability, and its ability to offer energy independence to SMEs etc. On the other hand, the findings identified high initial upfront costs, a dearth of knowledge and information about the potentials and benefits of solar PV among SMEs, regulatory challenges such as the ambiguity surrounding the implementation of the net metering scheme, depreciation of the local currency, high import duties, desire to conform with the status quo of using generators among others as some of the prevailing barriers. Despite these prevailing challenges, some SMEs that had partially integrated solar PV into their operations are reaping positive benefits and should serve as an inspiration for the non-adopters to look no further.
As part of the recommendations, the study calls for a broader stakeholder engagement among all industry players to accelerate the implementation and adoption of solar PV, intensification of public education about the prospects of solar PV, availability of green financing schemes, and the full implementation of the net metering scheme, among others, as key solutions. On the whole, to scale up the intake of solar PV among SMEs and to achieve the 10% adoption target for renewable energy into the national energy mix by 2030, it is prudent for the Ministry of Energy and the technical regulator (Energy Commission) to devise innovative ways of overcoming the identified barriers of adoption while leveraging the existing potentials and opportunities that solar PV offers in Ghana.
Beskrivelse
Postponed access: the file will be accessible after 2025-12-02