Although home owners and developers may be interested in installing solar in their premises, the cost is a great obstacle.
Mahad Karani, an architect with Adnan Saffarini Engineering Consultants inDubai, sits with a laptop on his desk on the 10th floor of International Life House taking note of surrounding buildings.
The skyscrapers in Nairobi’s central business district don’t seem to bother him much. His frustration is with new developments in other parts of the city that are not keen on capitalising on renewable energy despite legislative backing from the government.
“I have lived in Kenya for two years and during this time, I have noticed that the power supply is very erratic,” says Mahad. Mahad is concerned that despite frequent power outages in the country, it is only recently that developers have seen it fit to install solar energy solutions in buildings.
This is partly because the National Energy policy draft, May 2012 makes it mandatory for developers to install solar water heating equipment in residential buildings within the local authority’s jurisdiction.
The guidelines, currently being enforced by the Energy Regulatory Commission is picking up with many new construction companies incorporating solar energy in their buildings. The Mentor Group is among companies that are recommending solar solutions to clients.
“We propose the right solar solutions to clients, cost for the solutions, market demand and statutory requirements,” says Okal Bukachi, the project manager.
Solar energy is a form of renewable energy produced from naturally occurring the sun. Using specialised solar equipment, heat from the sun is tapped and converted into electrical energy for use in homes and offices. The power can be used for lighting, heating, drying and generating electricity in the case of net-metering.
“Net-metering allows small scale renewable energy power producers to ‘bank’ or ‘store’ their electricity in times of over-production (e.g. solar energy on peak production in the day) in the national grid and to balance out their grid consumption with this banked or stored electricity during other times (at night, morning and evening hours),” states German Development Service (GIZ).
Although home owners and developers may be interested in installing solar in their premises, the cost is a great obstacle.
According to GIZ , the cost declined by 200 per cent globally but the equipment still remains beyond the reach of many potential buyers.
For instance, a complete solar installation for a three-bedroomed house according to Solar Frique averages Sh1.3 million. This includes a 3,000 watts solar panel able to power 10 bulbs, four security bulbs at night, a refrigerator, TV, radio, phone charging and water heating.
The cheapest solar fitting available in the market according to Go Solar Systems Ltd, a solar distributor in Nairobi cost Sh50,000. This comprises one solar panel capable of lighting three bulbs, a television and radio for eight to 10 hours.
“Solar installation is complex and expensive. The more energy you want, the bigger the panel,” says Bukachi. Who, however, adds that it’s better to make a one-off expense whose benefits you will enjoy for life.
Families looking to install solar solutions capable of powering a refrigerator, computer, 10 bulbs, television, outdoor lighting, and water heater will spend a minimum of Sh450,000.
Mahad, however, admits it is not easy to convince developers to consider solar installation because of the initial expense. Luckily, the office building developer later bought to his proposal.
The Office Park developer agreed to glass walls for natural lighting at daytime and solar energy for night illumination. This development guarantees the owner 50 per cent reduction on electricity.
“The heat produced by the system will help reduce electricity consumption by 50 per cent,” says Mahad.
Among the reasons leading home owners to settle for solar energy is the need to reduce carbon emissions and the long-term goal of low maintenance cost.
Despite the initial cost, solar energy is more affordable than electricity in the long run. Unlike electricity from the national grid, there is no monthly charge for using solar.
The government is also considering zero rating taxes and duty on solar energy equipment to make it more accessible to consumers throughout the country.
“We are also looking at lowering prices of the panels and other equipment. However, if more players would come in the field, then prices are bound to drop due to competition. At the moment we have few players,” says Lois Gicheru, chief executive officer at Solar Frique.
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