The Brew Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST and the Ashesi Solar Monitoring Network (ASMONET) have begun discussions toward a strategic partnership in energy meteorology and renewable energy research.

The delegation led by Dr. Stewart Isaacs, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, visited the Centre to explore potential areas of collaboration on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. He was joined by colleagues Acheampong Antwi Afari, Francis Aweenagua, and Augustine Kwaku Ofosu-Appiah. 

 

Welcoming the team, the Director of the Centre, Professor David Ato Quansah, emphasized the Centre’s role in advancing Ghana’s energy transition through applied research, training, and strategic partnerships. He highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving innovation within Ghana’s renewable energy sector.

Dr. Prince Junior Asilevi, Lecturer and Research Scientist in Atmospheric and Environmental Physics at KNUST introduced the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, outlining its expertise in atmospheric monitoring, air pollution, and satellite data integration. Dr. Oliver Kornyo also presented the Centre’s ongoing research in renewable energy optimization.

Presenting ASMONET’s objectives, Dr. Isaacs explained that the network is designed to measure dust and aerosol impacts on solar photovoltaic (PV) performance. He expressed interest in expanding ASMONET’s reach across Ghana and linking it to broader climate monitoring initiatives.

The discussions proposed collaborative studies to assess the effects of dust accumulation on PV efficiency across Ghana’s diverse ecological zones. The delegation also toured the KNUST Meteorological Station as part of the visit. Both parties agreed to initiate a joint ASMONET–KNUST pilot project focusing on photovoltaic performance and dust climatology.