Organised by international event specialists imps in conjunction with Expo Promotions of Accra it forms part of a series of planned events focussing on discussing and demonstrating opportunities in the development of solar energy technology in emerging world markets.
As a clean and sustainable renewable energy option Solar Technology offers a practical, reliable and cost effective path for households, businesses, factories, schools, hospitals, local and central government as well as communities, industrial sites, regions and entire cities.
Continuing development in solar energy technology is bringing down the initial and ongoing costs of solar technology making it a recognised way forward on energy policy. SOLAR WEST AFRICA is endorsed by Ghana's Ministry of Energy
Ghana to host SOLAR WEST AFRICA 2012 International Conference & Exhibition in Accra next year Ghana's climate and its geographical position close to the equator makes solar energy one of the best renewable energy options it has for businesses, factories, schools and households giving total energy reliability as well as fixed short and long term costs. Recognising this, the Volta River Authority, Ghana's national power generating agency, is embarking on a $40 million renewable energy project some of which will be invested in solar energy plants in the north of Ghana.
With fossil fuel prices on the increase and oil already topping the $100 per barrel mark, renewable energy options become increasingly viable. Ghana's Ministry of Energy has developed a national strategy which will increase the contribution of modern renewable energy in the electricity generation mix to 10% by 2020. The strategy involves the passage of a Renewable Energy Bill which is currently under Parliamentary consideration.
It is against this background that SOLAR WEST AFRICA 2012, an international exhibition and conference, is scheduled to take place in April of next year in Accra, Ghana. The two-day event, endorsed by Ghana's Minister of Energy, Dr Joe Oteng-Adjei, will attract international attention from Europe, USA, China and other countries, organizations and companies. SOLAR WEST AFRICA 2012 will be a showcase for West Africa's solar success stories as well as highlighting the dramatic improvements in technology that have been achieved.
According to the Minister, "The timing for SOLAR WEST AFRICA 2012 is therefore appropriate as it will place Ghana at the forefront of West Africa in the promotion of renewable energy. My Ministry is therefore pleased to be associated with this event." Solar energy technology is improving quickly resulting in lower costs and significantly greater efficiency. In the near future, it is forecast that the most expensive part of solar panels, silica, will be replaced with polymers, significantly bringing down manufacturing costs.