Solar Energy in Kenya

Kenya lies within the tropics and is endowed with significant solar energy resources. Kenya has
high solar potential as its geographic location provide suitable conditions for solar energy
throughout the year. It is estimated that the country receives daily insolation of 4-6kWh/m2
(Energy and Petroleum regulatory authority (EPRA), 2019). The map below shows average
photovoltaic power output for Kenya.

Data/information/map] obtained from the “Global Solar Atlas 2.0, a free, web-based
application is developed and operated by the company Solargis s.r.o. on behalf of the World
Bank Group, utilizing Solargis data, with funding provided by the Energy Sector Management
Assistance Program (ESMAP). For additional information: https://globalsolaratlas.info
Photovoltaic power output measures the practical amount of electricity that can be generated per
a unit of installed PV capacity. It is measured in kilowatt hours per installed kilowatt-peak of the
PV capacity (Global Solar Atlas, 2022). It represents practical solar potential that can be
exploited using PV. According to Global Solar Atlas, the practical photovoltaic power output
potential ranges between 4.04-5.15 kWh / kWp. Therefore, the solar energy is abundant
throughout the year and can be tapped to meet the country’s energy demand.
However, the solar energy has remained largely unutilized in Kenya. According to EPRA, the
country has installed capacity of approximately 100MW. This about 0.67% of the total annual
solar potential in Kenya (solar potential is projected to be 15000MW). Garissa Solar Farm is the
largest solar power plant with an installed capacity of 55MW. The plant is state-owned and was
commissioned in 2019. The government has launched other solar projects in Samburu,
Kisumu,Uasin Gishu and Nakuru to increase solar power capacity. The projects are supported by
government and private entities. The table below shows existing and proposed solar farms in
Kenya,
Solar Power Location Capacity Year Year
Plant Construction commissioned
Started
Garissa Garissa 55MW 2017 2018
Power Plant
Samburu Kwale 10MW 2022 Not yet
Solar Project
Nakuru Solar Nakuru 40MW 2022 Not yet
Project
Kisumu solar Kisumu 40MW 2022 Not yet
One Park
Eldosol Uasin Gishu 52MW 2019 Not Yet
Keseses 1 Uasin Gishu 52MW 2019 Not Yet
Kopere Nandi 40MW 2019 Not Yet
Nairobi 0.6MW 2014 2014

Strathmore
Solar Plant
Kenyatta Nairobi 0.1 MW 2018 2020
University
Solar Farm

Private entities are also investing in solar farms to reduce reliance on on grid power. Companies
such as East African Breweries Limited have pledged to build solar power stations worth 22
billion Kenya Shillings by 2030 that will fully meet its power demands. Such initiatives will
accelerate the utilization of solar energy.
 References

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA,) (2019). Solar Energy – Renewable Energy
Portal. [online] Renewableenergy.go.ke. Available at:
https://renewableenergy.go.ke/technologies/solar-energy/ [Accessed 26 Aug. 2022].

‌ Global Solar Atlas (2022). Global Solar Atlas. [online] Globalsolaratlas.info. Available at:
https://globalsolaratlas.info/global-pv-potential-study [Accessed 26 Aug. 2022].