Scrap 20% Tax On Solar Imports To Boost Adoption – UMaT Professor.

Professor of Electromechanical Engineering at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Prof. Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi, has called on the government to remove the 20 percent tax imposed on imported solar equipment to encourage the widespread adoption of residential solar systems in Ghana.

According to Prof. Amuzuvi, the tax on solar products is making the technology less attractive and slowing down the country’s transition to clean and renewable energy sources.

He explained that although the cost of solar technology has significantly reduced globally, many Ghanaians are still unable to adopt the technology due to high upfront installation costs and limited financing options.

Prof. Amuzuvi noted that solar energy remains a viable alternative to the country’s electricity supply challenges and urged stakeholders to intensify public education on the benefits of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Prof. Christian Kwaku Amuzuvi made the call during UMaT’s 13th Professorial Inaugural Lecture on the theme, “Driving the Green Energy Transition: Translating Ghana’s LPG Adoption Model to Residential Rooftop Solar PV Systems

He stated that in countries where solar energy adoption has been successful, companies actively engage households, educate them on the benefits of solar energy, and provide flexible payment arrangements to make the technology more accessible.

The professor further urged financial institutions to develop affordable financing packages and loan schemes to enable households and businesses to invest in solar systems.

He suggested that consumers should be allowed to spread payments over five to seven years, after which they would enjoy reliable and affordable electricity.

Story by Nana Fynn@W/R.