What You'll Learn:
- How the 2025 EBSCO Solar Grant helped ATU double its renewable energy capacity to 160kWp.
- Discover how investing in solar energy can strengthen power reliability and support uninterrupted digital learning and research.
- Explore how a single solar grant project can significantly reduce your institution’s annual CO₂ emissions.
*This blog post was submitted by Accra Technical University
Accra Technical University (ATU), the first among Ghana’s ten Technical Universities, continues to distinguish itself as a national role model — this time in the area of renewable energy and sustainability with the installation of an additional transformative 80kWp Solar PV Grid-tied System for the University Library funded with the EBSCO 2025 Solar Grant Award.
The University’s Strategic Plan supports a gradual transition toward long-term sustainability, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption. Since 2015, the University’s leadership has taken steps resulting in a number of environmental sustainability projects including: Various Solar PV systems totaling 80kWp, Underground Water Supply systems, Building Cladding among others.
Recognizing both the opportunity and the responsibility the 2025 EBSCO Solar Grant presented, we immediately partnered with the University’s Sustainable Energy Service Centre (SESC) to form a project team. Riding on the African proverb that a “a single bracelet does not jingle”, together, we compiled strong evidence of existing energy-efficiency initiatives, the library’s central academic role, and the transformative impact the grant would have on teaching, learning and research.
The Project, Progress and Impact
Following the grant award in June 2025, ATU promptly initiated procurement processes in full compliance with national regulations. By October 2025, RenPower Systems had emerged as the most responsive bidder, and installation works commenced in November under the supervision of the University’s Sustainable Energy Service Centre.
While the original plan envisioned a 60kWp solar system with battery backup for 30kW of load for up to 3hours, changing economic conditions and equipment availability prompted a strategic modification to an 80kWp grid-tied solar PV system. This decision enabled the team to address the constraints and allowed the University to increase the capacity of the system. On the 28th of January, 2026, the project went online after a month of testing and monitoring and would be officially commissioned on 27th February 2026.
This project is already contributing to improving energy availability and reliability for the University’s library. With the improved energy reliability, we can ensure uninterrupted access to electronic resources and databases – an essential service for the more than 90% of ATU students who live off-campus, access to other online services, virtual trainings and webinars.
Additionally, based on performance of the system so far, it is projected to contribute a minimum annual energy cost savings of USD $18,000.00 after accounting for maintenance. It is also expected to contribute annually a minimum of 74,912.60kg of CO2or an equivalent saving of approximately 4,136.67 trees.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, this solar installation will be integrated into the university’s existing renewable energy systems and supported through routine maintenance structures already in place.
The financial savings to be realized from the project and the pre-existing projects will be ploughed back to expand the University’s renewable energy generation capacity which now stands at 160kWp (pre-existing 80kWp + EBSCO funded 80kWp).
It is our expectation that our students and academics will take advantage of this installation to further research for better outcomes in the renewable energy generation space.
Riding on the African proverb that “a single bracelet does not jingle”, together, we compiled strong evidence of existing energy-efficiency initiatives, the library’s central academic role, and the transformative impact the grant would have on teaching, learning and research.
Riding on the African proverb that “a single bracelet does not jingle”, together, we compiled strong evidence of existing energy-efficiency initiatives, the library’s central academic role, and the transformative impact the grant would have on teaching, learning and research.
A Living Model for Sustainable Campuses
This project along with other energy efficiency projects implemented, the ATU Library is steadily advancing toward its net-zero energy ambitions while enhancing the quality and reliability of services that support teaching, learning, and research. The initiative reinforces ATU’s role as a flagship institution for sustainability, within Ghana’s Technical University system and across the wider higher education sector and demonstrates how Ghana’s Universities can translate policy, innovation, and partnerships into practical impact.
When we received the 2025 EBSCO Solar Grant, it marked more than a milestone for us – it became a historic moment for academic libraries across Africa. As the first African university library to receive the EBSCO Solar Grant, we believe that we have assumed a role-model position, demonstrating how libraries can lead the transition toward sustainable, resilient, and energy-efficient academic environments.
To New EBSCO Solar Grant Applicants
As the African proverb goes, “not everyone who chased the zebra caught it, but he who caught it chased it” - implying that trying does not guarantee success, but you can never achieve success if you do not try. Our effort was therefore rewarded making us the first African institution to secure the EBSCO Solar Grant.
ATU Library, believes that this achievement opens doors for other African libraries. Our experience demonstrates that with strong collaboration, clear evidence of impact, and alignment with institutional priorities, libraries across the continent can successfully participate in this program.
We have simple advice for prospective applicants: build strong partnerships within your institution, document your sustainability efforts, articulate how energy reliability enhances your core mission, and think beyond the grant toward long-term impact. And when you are successful, ensure to be accountable.
Acknowledgement
Accra Technical University formally acknowledges and expresses its profound appreciation to EBSCO Information Services for the award of the 2025 EBSCO Solar Grant, which made this project possible. The support provided through this grant has been instrumental in advancing ATU Library’s net-zero energy initiatives and reinforces the shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and the strengthening of academic environments in higher education.
