Consumer view: Solar is solving Kenya’s rural grid woes

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Despite having nearly achieved a 100% urban electrification rate, Kenya's rural population continues to face electricity challenges. For many in these areas, solar power has become the only viable solution. This week, Caleb Sewui, a businessman from Bungoma, Kenya, shares his experience with solar energy after struggling with an unreliable grid power supply.

• Utility power company Kenya Power struggles to maintain a stable power supply, especially during rainy seasons. This leads to untimely blackouts, which affect customers adversely.

• "If anything, stepping away from the grid has been one of the best financial decisions I've made," Caleb stated in an interview.

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• The constant power outages caused significant inconvenience and financial losses for Caleb and his family, who were paying for unreliable electricity. To resolve this, he invested about $923 in a Chloride solar home kit, comprising a 585-watt panel, a 200 Ah gel battery, and a hybrid inverter (pictured above). 

• "I got fed up with the outages," he explains. He believes the investment in the solar kit was worthwhile, stating, "In the one year I have been using solar in my house, I have saved a lot. Within three years, I will have recouped the initial cost and enjoy free energy for about 20 years." He believes this financial benefit would not have been possible if he remained connected to the grid.

• "I don't have to worry about the electricity bill at the end of the month," Caleb noted, highlighting the significant savings from his solar home system. He estimates monthly savings of around $23, compared to his previous grid electricity expenses.

• However, Caleb advises careful consideration of individual power needs when selecting a solar package. He attributes the long lifespan and efficiency of his system to aligning it with his limited usage, primarily for lighting. He is also considering upgrading his gel battery to a lithium-ion option based on positive feedback from colleagues.

• Overall, Caleb considers his solar home kit the most cost-effective and dependable power solution he has adopted. This has led to increased productivity and reduced worry about blackouts and electricity bills. "I am considering upgrading to a bigger system in the future," he added.

• His advice to those in blackout-prone regions is to embrace solar as early as now and improve power efficiency in their homesteads while avoiding high monthly electricity bills.