At the 2025 Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge, students of Bolgatanga Senior High School took the stage with an impressive innovation they call the “Smart Urban Farm”—a solar-powered system that integrates poultry rearing with hydroponic crop production.
The project combines two vital food production methods in one sustainable setup. Solar energy powers the entire system, reducing reliance on conventional electricity and lowering operational costs. Waste generated from the poultry serves as a nutrient source for the hydroponic plants, while the plants contribute to a cleaner environment by filtering and recycling water within the system.
According to the student innovators, the Smart Urban Farm addresses two pressing challenges—food insecurity in urban areas and the environmental impact of traditional farming methods. “Our goal is to promote fresh, healthy food production in spaces where land is limited, while making farming greener and more efficient,” one team member explained.
The Renewable Energy Challenge, organised annually by the Energy Commission, provides a platform for senior high schools nationwide to develop and showcase practical, eco-friendly solutions to real-world problems. This year’s edition featured projects ranging from clean energy technologies to sustainable agriculture, all designed to inspire a new generation of innovators committed to Ghana’s climate and energy goals.
With ideas like the Smart Urban Farm, Bolgatanga SHS is proving that the future of food production can be both sustainable and urban-friendly, offering a model that could be replicated in cities and towns across the country.
