Towards Sustainable Electricity for All: Techno-Economic Analysis of Conventional Low-Voltage-to-Microgrid Conversion

Frimpong Kyeremeh (), Dennis Acheampong, Zhi Fang, Liu Feng and Forson Peprah
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Frimpong Kyeremeh: College of Electrical Engineering and Control Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Pukou District, Nanjing 211800, China
Dennis Acheampong: Regional Centre for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Sustainability, School of Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani P.O. Box 214, Ghana
Zhi Fang: College of Electrical Engineering and Control Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Pukou District, Nanjing 211800, China
Liu Feng: College of Electrical Engineering and Control Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 South Puzhu Road, Pukou District, Nanjing 211800, China
Forson Peprah: Regional Centre for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Sustainability, School of Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani P.O. Box 214, Ghana

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-32

Abstract: Ghana’s electricity grid remains heavily fossil-fuel dependent (69%), resulting in high costs and unstable low-voltage (LV) networks, exacerbating supply shortages. This study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of converting the Obaa-Yaa LV substation in Drobo, Ghana, into a solar-powered microgrid. Using the forward–backward method for technical analysis and financial metrics (NPV, IRR, DPP, and PI), the results show that rooftop solar on seven households generates 676,742 kWh annually—exceeding local demand by 115.8 kW—with no voltage violations (240 V ± 6%) and minimal losses (9.24 kW). Economic viability is demonstrated via an NPV of GHS 2.1M, IRR of 17%, and a 10-year payback. The findings underscore solar microgrids as a pragmatic solution for Ghana’s energy challenges, urging policymakers to incentivize decentralized renewable systems.

Keywords: sustainable energy; low-voltage network; techno-economic analysis; microgrid (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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