This paper presents the design and construction of a two-axis solar tracking system. The system is designed to track the movement of the sun in order to get maximum power from the solar panels as they follow the direction of the sun. Though existing tracking systems are available in the market, limited purchasing capabilities in developing countries has been the main drive behind the device presented in this paper. The system employs Light Dependent Resistors to sense the position of the sun which is directly communicated to a micro-processing board with ATmega328 microcontroller. The micro-processing board therefore commands a set of two stepper motor to re-orient the panel either horizontally or vertically in order to stay perpendicular to the sun rays. The design was constructed successfully and tested to determine the increase in efficiency. Evaluation results show that the new system performs 10.7% better than the static solar system. Moreover the implementation cost of $132.36 is lower than many other existing trackers with the same capabilities available in the market.
Background Expanding health insurance coverage is a priority under Sustainable Development Goal 3. To address the intersection between poverty and health and remove cost barriers, the government of Ghana established the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Government further linked NHIS with the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) 1000 cash transfer program by waiving premium fees for LEAP 1000 households. This linkage led to increased NHIS enrolment, however, large enrolment gaps remained. One potential reason for failure to enroll may relate to the poor quality of health services. Methods We examine whether LEAP 1000 impacts on NHIS enrolment were moderated by health facilities’ service availability and readiness. Results We find that adults in areas with the highest service availability and readiness are 18 percentage points more likely to enroll in NHIS because of LEAP 1000, compared to program effects of only 9 percentage points in low service availability and readiness areas. Similar differences were seen for enrolment among children (20 v. 0 percentage points) and women of reproductive age (25 v. 10 percentage points). Conclusions We find compelling evidence that supply-side factors relating to service readiness and availability boost positive impacts of a cash transfer program on NHIS enrolment. Our work suggests that demand-side interventions coupled with supply-side strengthening may facilitate greater population-level benefits down the line. In the quest for expanding financial protection towards accelerating the achievement of universal health coverage, policymakers in Ghana should prioritize the integration of efforts to simultaneously address demand- and supply-side factors. Trial registration This study is registered in the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation’s (3ie) Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIE-STUDY-ID-55942496d53af).
Green ICT is the study and analysis of creating, improving and sustaining environmental ICT practices in an organization. Globally, innovative educational institutions focus on utilizing ICT such as lecture video recordings, lecture broadcasts, learning images, texts, and worksheets for idea generation and teaching/lecture purposes. Using Accra Polytechnic in Ghana as a case study, this paper analyzes the possible ways that educational institutions can implement green ICT in order to ensure that their environment is economically sustainable. This research aims at further increasing awareness regarding the advantages and limitations on green ICT in Ghana in addition to providing guidelines for ICT utilization. The goal of the green ICT/computing is to reduce the use of hazardous materials found in computer systems; to maximize the product lifetime and to promote recyclability and biodegradability of defunct and factory waste products. This paper therefore discusses different approaches such as server virtualization, PC and printer consolidation, active power management, central inverter systems and upgrading ICT equipment. Such strategies will enable educational institutions in Ghana, specifically, Accra Polytechnic to sustain their environment when undergoing ICT practices and procedures. General TermsGreen ICT, Polytechnic Education.
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