Technical, financial, and emissions analyses of solar water heating systems for supplying sustainable energy for hotels in Ghana

Abstract

Ghana has the potential to deploy solar energy technologies, with its solar irradiation varying between 4 and 6.5 kWh/m²/day. However, the country's dependence on fossil fuels for generating electricity and heat remains prevalent. This study aims to assess the technical and financial feasibility of installing solar water heating (SWH) systems in hotels within Ghana. RETScreen software is used to conduct the technical, financial, and emission analyses of the SWH system for five cities in Ghana, including Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Tamale, and Wa. The findings show that SWH systems are feasible for Ghanaian hotels, with solar fractions ranging from 61.2% in Kumasi to 78.5% in Wa. Also, installing the SWH system yields a positive net present value for all the cities. The implication is that installing SWH systems in hotels operating in Ghana is financially viable and attractive for investment. In addition, payback periods infer that the SWH systems can generate a return on investment in a reasonable time frame, especially considering the equity payback period. Furthermore, about 58.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions could be avoided annually by installing the SWH system in the selected cities. This study's findings suggest that hotels can achieve long-term financial savings on electricity costs by utilising solar energy to heat water. This, in turn, reduces their reliance on fossil fuel consumption while actively pursuing their sustainability objectives. The study findings are crucial in assisting hotel owners in making informed decisions on SWH systems.