Examining the implementation challenges of solar energy technologies policy incentives towards renewable energy transitions in Ghana: A socio-political acceptance perspective

The growing global concern over the environmental and socio-economic impacts of fossil fuel dependence has intensified the call for a transition to renewable energy. While renewable energy technologies, especially solar and wind, are recognized as viable solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, Ghana's renewable energy transition remains slow. Solar energy technology (SET), the most promising option after hydropower, continues to underperform relative to national and international targets. Existing evidence indicates that weak policy implementation and limited social acceptance are critical barriers. This study examines Ghana's policy incentives for SET, the factors constraining their effectiveness, and stakeholder perspectives on education and awareness as enablers of its acceptance. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovation theory, it employs a qualitative approach involving 17 expert interviews across government, private SET firms, academia, and industry associations. Findings reveal that Ghana's policy framework is underdeveloped, relying primarily on tax incentives with limited reach and weak political commitment. Stakeholders emphasized the transformative potential of net metering, a system allowing consumers to offset electricity costs through surplus generation as key to advancing both business sustainability and social acceptance. The study concludes that Ghana's transition hinges on equitable and consistent policy implementation rather than the mere existence of incentives. It extends Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory by underscoring the role of effective policy execution and recommends the full operationalisation of net metering alongside targeted sensitisation initiatives to foster long-term acceptance of SET.