Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Agrivoltaics, that is, the incorporation of solar and agriculture, is basically mounting solar panels on shade-tolerating crops to increase soil water retention. This project increases land utilization through solar power generation and crop production.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Agrivoltaic combines agriculture and solar energy by installing solar panels on farmlands, allowing crops to grow under solar panels. My project maximizes land efficiency by allowing simultaneous crop production and energy generation. The project is inspired by the current level of climate change and the effects traditional power generation has on the environment, as well as land pricing and scarcity. In the project development stage, crops that grow well under shade, for example, lettuce, beans, tomatoes, and cucumbers, are being considered. These crops can tolerate the partial shade provided by the solar panels, and the land will be prepared for crop cultivation with the specified crops in mind. After planting, solar panels will be mounted on high poles with careful planning and consideration for sunlight on crops. The energy generated will be used to power all activities on the farm, for example, irrigation for the farm, and the rest will be sold to generate additional income.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

My project aims to solve the problems of land usage efficiency, food security, and access to reliable power. Also, the negative impact that both agriculture and energy production have on the environment. The gradual increase in population has led to an increase in land scarcity, pricing, and climate change.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Through solar power generation, agrivoltaics provide access to clean and reliable energy. Agrivoltaics also promotes food security through the provision of a controlled microenvironment for farming. It also increases land efficiency and reduces the environmental impacts associated with both solar power generation and agriculture.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

My project is aimed at educating and implementing similar projects for local farmers. It will also serve hotels, restaurants, and local food sellers through the sales of farm products. Finally, the generated energy will be used for farm processes and distributed to homes in the immediate environment with no or limited access to electricity.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Hadizat Ahmed is an individual who is passionate about the circular economy and is willing to bring out ideas for a sustainable future. She's participated in volunteer work, which includes the Green Ghana Day and the tree planting exercise, among others. She has a bachelor's degree in natural resources management. Tekpor David, a bachelors degree in Renenwable Energy Engineering holder with in-depth knowledge, skills set and 2 years experience in his field. He envisions a world with clean and affordable energy and sustainable practices with zero a “waste” agenda. Sajjad Braimah Mubarak is a person who loves agriculture and dreams of a green world. He has a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture Engineering and has 3 years experience in engineering, crop farming and tutoring.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Energy and Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By implementing this project for farmers, agrivoltaics will provide a double revenue stream for the farmers as well as job opportunities for others. My project contributes to the objective of "No Poverty" by giving farmers a variety of sustainable income streams, improving food security, generating employment, and building community resilience. Also, incorporating renewable energy into agriculture guarantees environmental sustainability, which is essential for long-term poverty alleviation in addition to promoting economic growth.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

By integrating solar energy with the agriculture sector, my project supports the goal of eradicating hunger and ensuring access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for all. By increasing food security, supporting resilient and sustainable farming methods, and increasing agricultural productivity, agrivoltaics offers a multifaceted approach to achieving "zero hunger."

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Agrivoltaics offers a direct approach to achieving "good health and well-being.". The shading from solar panels creates a microclimate that can reduce heat stress and water evaporation, leading to increased agricultural productivity. This ensures a stable supply of fresh, nutritious food, improves dietary diversity, and reduces malnutrition. Also, by generating renewable energy, agrivoltaics reduces reliance on conventional power generation, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Additionally, improved air quality reduces respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in nearby communities.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Organizing workshops and community involvement during project implementation promotes awareness creation and educates farmers and farmer groups about how such a project is beneficial to them and the environment. My project will also, in the future, open doors for research into how agrivoltaics can be improved upon and implemented on a large scale in Ghana.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

My project supports gender equality by providing equal economic opportunities, enhancing skills, and promoting health and well-being. These benefits contribute to breaking down gender barriers, empowering both genders, and creating more equitable communities for financial independence by setting up businesses; enjoying equal access to education, and the opportunity to develop personal ambitions.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

My project, agrivoltaics, involves the simultaneous production of solar energy and agricultural crops on the same land. Solar panels mounted above crops harness sunlight to generate electricity, providing a renewable energy source that is clean and sustainable. By deploying decentralized solar installations, agrivoltaics can provide off-grid or micro-grid solutions, enabling communities to access affordable and reliable electricity for powering homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By fostering job creation, skill development, local economic development, income generation, investment, and innovation, agrivoltaics can contribute to the promotion of decent work and economic growth, aligning with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8).

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Agrivoltaics promotes innovation and infrastructure development through which stakeholders can unlock economic opportunities, drive technological advancements, and contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy and food system.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

By integrating agrivoltaics into urban environments, cities can harness the synergies between renewable energy production, sustainable agriculture, and community development to build more resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable communities. Agrivoltaics can stimulate economic development within urban communities by creating job opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, construction, and green technology. Additionally, revenue generated from energy sales or agricultural products can be reinvested in local infrastructure, social services, and community development initiatives, contributing to inclusive and equitable economic growth.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Agrivoltaics maximizes the productive use of land by combining solar energy generation with agricultural activities. This dual-use approach optimizes resource utilization, such as land, water, and sunlight, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in both energy and crop production processes.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Agrivoltaics offers a multifaceted approach to climate action that addresses mitigation, adaptation, and resilience-building efforts. My project also promotes carbon sequestration by combining renewable energy generation with agricultural practices that enhance soil health and vegetation growth. By harnessing solar energy to generate electricity, agrivoltaics displaces fossil fuel-based energy sources that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

5

05.08 Justification

My project introduces a novel approach by integrating solar energy production with agricultural land use, creating a mutually beneficial system that maximizes land efficiency and resource utilization. Unlike conventional solar farms or traditional agriculture alone, agrivoltaics offers a solution that optimizes land productivity while generating renewable energy. By harnessing the power of sunlight while minimizing water usage and environmental impact, agrivoltaics embodies innovation at the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture, unlocking new possibilities for resource-efficient farming and energy generation. Building upon the principles of traditional agriculture and solar energy production, agrivoltaics enhances land productivity and sustainability by combining these practices.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

From my research, no one in Ghana has implemented such a project to create competition. My team and I have diverse and major backgrounds in areas concerning this project, i.e., Renewable Energy and Agricultural Engineering. Our collective knowledge and experience in said fields make us more qualified to implement such a project with a higher percentage of success.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Gower Street: Women in Renewable Energy Empowerment and Business Incubation. I led a team in educating a group of women on Solar system sizing and installations.