Analysis of Solar Radiation Data in Northern Ghana: Solar Energy As a Potential Alternative

More than 90 percent of Ghanaian households burn wood or charcoal for cooking. Akosombo Dam on the Volta River is the country?s main source of electricity since 1965. Low water levels in the Volta River have periodically caused power shortages in the country since 2007. Ghanaian governments have been pursuing national electrification policy to provide electricity to every Ghanaian community by 2020. However, more than half of the population remains without access to grid-based electricity. Part A of this book analyzed data on sun hours in Northern Ghana to ascertain the potential of solar energy as an alternative energy source. Part B gives an Aqueous Processing approach for Upgrading Metallurgical-Grade Silicon to Solar-Grade. This book could serve as a guide to the Solar Technology Industry, Suppliers, Government agencies, Non Governmental bodies, Researchers in the area of solar energy, or anyone else who may be considering utilizing solar energy. The Governments of Ghana including Non Governmental Organizations could take advantage of the "free" source of energy to provide solar energy materials to communities in Northern Ghana to improve the living standards of the people.