The Energy Commission is exploring potential sites along the country's coast for development of wind-parks for power generation, aimed at securing a reliable supply of energy to all sectors of the economy. “The Energy Commission is carrying out a more detailed wind resource assessment of potential sites along the coast for development of wind-parks for power generation. “Government has a vision for an energy system that will secure reliable supply of energy for all sectors of the economy," Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, Deputy Minister of Energy, disclosed. He was speaking in Accra at a West Africa Solar Forum and Exhibition organised in partnership with the Association of Ghana Solar Industries and supported by the Energy Commission and Ministry of Energy. It was attended by architects, property developers, utility companies, regulatory authorities, public-sector ministries, departments and agencies, investors and financial institutions, installers and distributors. Other attendees were manufacturers, contractors and non-governmental organisations interested in collaboration toward development of West Africa's solar industry. Making a presentation under the topic 'The Brighter Way Forward', Alhaji Fuseini disclosed that government's vision is to achieve at least a 10% contribution of, modern renewable energy services in the electricity generation mix by 2020. He revealed that the Volta River Authority will set the pace when it installs the• first two -megawatt solar facility for integration into the national electricity grid by 2015. “As part of government's commitment, the Ministry has upgraded the Renewable Energy Unit at the Ministry to a Directorate similar to the Petroleum and Power Directorates". “This new directorate will formulate, plan and monitor policies and strategies for the promotion of all forms of renewable energy resources in the country to achieve the intended 10% contribution of modern renewable energy services in the electricity generation mix by 2020” he said. Alhaji Fuseini indicated that a renewable energy bill has been passed by Parliament to provide the regulatory framework and fiscal incentives to attract private-sector investment to the renewable energy sector. “Advantages of solar power and solar products could be many, but they all follow the same basic business and investment model of high upfront cost with payback overtime". “Everything, from large solar panels to simple solar pond pumps, has a break-even point where the device begins to pay for itself. This is probably the biggest advantage of solar energy products: they are one of the few consumer products that actually pay for themselves if built reliably enough,” Alhaji Fuseini said. Dr. Nii Darko Asante, Technical Director, Ghana Energy Commission, said: “The solar technology has great promise but with a price. It is the most expensive form of renewable energy. This is the major problem militating against its widespread use.” He observed that the country is endowed with abundant sunshine, but it is not making good use of the solar technology early to power its electricity generation due to the initial cost involved. “Renewable energy is expensive and capital intensive, and that accounts for the reason most developing countries are not using the technology. “We all have a responsibility to advocate the promotion of solar energy, and it is up to our policymakers to shape people's minds for the brighter future,” Dr. Darko remarked.