Is solar energy a game-changer in Kenya?

Solar energy in Kenya is being hailed by experts as a game-changer. Generating power from the East African nation's sunshine can potentially revolutionize its energy sector in terms of cost-effectiveness and scalability.

What is solar energy in Kenya?

Solar energy refers to the radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed using different forms of technologies such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal energy, solar heating and solar architecture. Kenya receives daily insolation of 4-6 kWh/m².

Is solar energy a good choice for Kenyans?

Hezel, like many Kenyans, did not opt for solar energy solely out of a desire to safeguard the environment and combat climate change. She said it is a cost-effective alternative to relying on Kenya's primary energy provider. "It is a lot cheaper than what Kenya Power charges," she said.

Why is Kenya not able to adapt and develop solar energy?

As an illustration, the country is not able to adapt and develop solar energy mainly because of the high initial cost needed for solar energy system set up. The review reveals that the solar energy market in Kenya is relatively young, based on the grid-based electrification, but it is growing rapidly.

Is solar energy a risk investment in Kenya?

Renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) products and projects in Kenya are still viewed as higher risk investments by the financing organizations resulting to higher requirements for consumers, investors and developers. For detailed information on financing solar energy in Kenya, we referred to Refs. , , , .

What are the main aspects of solar electrification in Kenya?

This review focuses on four major aspects of solar electrification in Kenya: (i) the opportunities available for solar electrification (ii) the main barriers encountered in solar electrification (iii) government policies governing solar energy and (iv) the future panorama of solar energy space.