The Energy Commission has announced that the solar dehydrator developed by Apagya Senior High School, winners of the 2022 Renewable Energy Challenge, is in its final stages before being brought to market for commercial purposes.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Bernice Nortey, an Officer of Renewable Energy Regulation, elaborated on the MoU between the Commission and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which aims to ensure that winning projects are developed and commercialised.

Nortey highlighted the rigorous process that CSIR follows to ensure projects are market-ready.

“CSIR has a series of stages they go through before they bring a project to the market, so it is in its final stages of commercialisation,” she said.

She also revealed that the winning project from Sogakope Senior High School, an agricultural machine named Farmer’s Friend, offers five functions in one device.

This project is currently in the initial stages of refinement at CSIR.

“It is also in its first stages of refinement with CSIR,” Nortey noted.

Bernice Nortey emphasised the importance of sustainability and practical application for these projects.

“We don’t want you to just come and win and your project becomes a white elephant. We want to make sure it sees the light of day,” she stated.

She also mentioned that representatives from the winning teams have the opportunity to apply for internships with CSIR, further integrating their innovations into practical and commercial use.

Touching on this year's edition of the Challenge, Caleb Azindow, an Officer of Renewable Energy Regulation, said students across Ghana are being challenged to develop renewable energy solutions to combat land degradation and water pollution.

“Every year we give them a focus area. This year we are looking at the application of Renewable Energy Technologies in land degradation and water pollution.

"Students are to develop projects to either solve a land degradation issue, a water pollution issue, or both. But the renewable energy technology must be part of the project.”

The Renewable Energy Challenge is part of a broader effort to engage young minds in solving pressing environmental challenges while promoting the use of sustainable and renewable energy sources.

The competition seeks to encourage students to think critically and creatively about how renewable energy can be harnessed to mitigate the impacts of environmental issues.

By focusing on these areas, the Energy Commission aims to foster a new generation of innovators equipped to address the environmental challenges facing Ghana and the world.