Solar Home Systems
Solar Home Systems (SHS) are standalone solar power setups designed to provide electricity, especially in areas with limited or no access to the grid, especially island communities. They typically consist of solar panels, battery, charge controller and inverter. Key Components of a Solar Home System:
- 1. Solar Panels – Convert sunlight into DC electricity.
- 2. Charge Controller – Regulates battery charging to prevent overcharging.
- 3. Battery (usually lithium-ion or lead-acid) – Stores energy for use at night or on cloudy days.
- 4. Inverter – Converts DC power to AC for standard appliances.
- 5. Wiring & Distribution – Connects the system to appliances (lights, fans, TVs, phones, etc.).
SREP - SOLAR HOME SYSTEMS COMPONENT
As part of our groundbreaking Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program (SREP), the Solar Home Systems (SHS) will bring clean, sustainable, and climate-resilient energy to schools, healthcare centers, and community hubs across Ghana. SHS ensures the supply, delivery, procurement, and professional installation of stand-alone solar systems designed to withstand extreme weather while delivering uninterrupted power.
Expected outcomes from the SHS component will benefit public schools and community energy service centers consisting of 400 units of 1 kWp each for schools. Students will have reliable lighting, fans, and digital learning tools, 200 units of 1 kWp each for health care centers (keeping critical medical equipment running and vaccines safely stored), 100 units of 3 kWp each for community energy service centers and 750 units rated at 0.5kW for SMEs (empowering local businesses, charging stations, and public services).
The implementation of SHS is a practical way to bring electricity to ‘needy’ areas. Schools, for example, can use SHS to power lights, computers and other educational tools. This access helps to improve the quality of education, as students can study more and use technology to improve their learning experiences. Health centers also benefit a lot with solar energy. In many rural areas, clinics fight with limited power or without power. SHS can feed essential medical equipment and vaccine cooling. This is vital to ensure that health services are reliable and effective. In addition, during emergencies and natural disasters, health facilities with solar systems can continue to operate even when the main energy grid fails. Community energy services also see SHS improvements. By providing accessible and clean energy, communities can establish local sources of energy that reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This change not only diminishes climate change, but also helps communities to become more self-sufficient. Lastly, reducing energy costs, families can allocate their resources to other pressing needs such as food and education. Here are other added advantages:
- • Off-grid capability – Works without the main power grid.
- • Lower electricity bills – Reduces dependence on utility power.
- • Environmentally friendly – No emissions, unlike diesel generators.
- • Scalable – Can be expanded as energy needs grow.
By equipping social and public institutions as well as communities with solar energy,
we’re not just installing panels—we’re lighting up classrooms, saving lives in clinics,
and energizing local economies. This initiative is a cornerstone in our mission for
sustainable development and energy justice.
Join us in powering progress — one solar panel at a time.
