Kenya is currently the largest market for solar home systems on the African continent and second largest in the world, after China, by both annual sales as well as total installed base. The Kenyan solar home system (SHS) category is considered the most competitive by far, and due to its history and heritage,one of the most developed, albeit primarily in the informal sector. Today, there are over 350,000 solar home systems across Kenya and the market is still growing at more than 15% a year.
What does this mean for you, the consumer?
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| Variety of solar options for rural households |
Choice: With so much to choose from and new products, services and business models being launched, how can you evaluate what kind of solution would work best for your household needs?
Not only is there something for every budget, but big names such as Safaricom, Total, Dayliff (Davis & Shirtliff), Sollatek and the IFC with its “Lighting Africa” initiative, all have something to offer. Do you go with the brand that is backing the product or do you evaluate the category of product and its suitability for your home?
Lets start with what are the categories of “solar products” and then take a closer look at each brand’s offerings. The products available in the market can be clustered broadly into the following:
1. “SHS in a box” or “Lighting kit in box”
2. Stand alone solar lanterns
3. Emerging “pay as you use” business models
4. Solar home systems (SHS)
1. “SHS in a box” or “Lighting kit in box”: Today, complete kits like the one shown belo are available in certain electrical shops around the
country. This particular one, sells for somewhere around Kshs 15,000 (~$175) and includes a motion sensor security light
as well all the components required for installation.
They
are available in three main sizes – small, medium and large – but keep in mind
that since brands like these are social enterprises, they are aimed at the
lower income demographic – and the 15W kit shown above is the ‘Large’ size but is
limited to providing only lights, and will not be able to power a television
set or a stereo system. Note also that
the battery is not included. Depending on the brand, expect to pay around Kshs 4000
to 6000 extra.
An
alternate type of kit is the Phillips one shown below, meant
for middle class urban homes as a backup for electricity power cuts. Available at selected Nakumatt supermarkets for
Kshs 6,000 ($70), this is one of the most expensive backup solar light kits in
the market, however the elegant design
and details such as a wall mounted light switch make it an attractive option
for the upwardly mobile home.
Advantages and Disadvantages
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| Philips kit |
The
advantage of this type of complete kit is that all the components are
ostensibly designed to work seamlessly together and everything necessary to the
system up and running is available in one box.
This approach addresses one of the biggest challenges with SHS in Kenya
which is the dearth of well trained fundis (technicians/installers/repairmen) with
the experience and knowledge of designing a solar home system.
The
disadvantage of such a system however is that it is limited to the components
provided, in that one cannot simply add on and build a larger system. Some of
the best provided homes in off-grid rural locales have extensive installations
built up over time to power their entire homestead and numerous electrical
appliances - so when choosing what kind of system to purchase, keep your future
needs in mind.
2.
Solar Lanterns:
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| Total sign |
Total,
for example, distributes d.Light’s solar lanterns at it’s retail petrol
stations, while Nakumatt picks and chooses which products it will carry
according to the needs of the location their outlets serve. The
basic light sold at Total costs Kshs. 999 ($12)
while the larger model which allows you to charge your mobile phone as
well can go for upwards of Kshs. 3,000.
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| Powerpoint at Twiga |
Powerpoint's outlet in Twiga Towers is one of the few
reputable solar specialists specializing in serving the needs of urban
Nairobi’s market. As you can see, the
range of solar lighting and solar lanterns offers something for everyone. If you’re thinking of something solar for
your household, that’s a great place to start your fact finding trip.
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| ToughStuff |
3. (Pay as you go) Mobile Business Models for
Solar products: With Safaricom’s launch of the M-Kopa
business model, customers now have the choice of paying for a solar product
using M-Pesa over an extended period of time. The solar light is from d.light such as that available via Total. Their kit contains 3 bright lights and a
mobile charging system, similar to the “Kit in a box” described above. The business model is designed to
automatically deduct Kshs 40/= ($0.47) from your account in order to use the lights
until the point where you own the system. Alternatively the complete kit can be
obtained for Kshs. 15,000 ($175) upfront.
Another
is Eight19's Indigo pay as you go solar that seems to be
piloting in Kenya. Here they use vouchers or scratch cards to top up your
charge rather than directly via the SIM card. This is however still in the
pilot stage as the company websites do not yet show a Kenyan outlet.
From
here, one can build up to including invertors and larger panels such as the
100W-120W kits popular in Maasailand, that are able to power flat screen Sony
Bravia televisions, kitchen appliances and the latest stereo systems in
addition to lighting the home inside and out.
Colour television and new digital systems require 60W at minimum in
order to work. Such panels alone cost around $200 upwards but prices are very
rarely displayed and often negotiable.
For
a household in Nairobi, an SHS would be the first recommendation. Dayliff is
probably one of the most credible brand names, as long as the technology is
German. (Be sure to the check the back of the panel to ensure this). Ubbink is a newly launched brand that fundi’s
consider to be efficient and high quality. It is manufactured by a Dutch
company establishing Kenya's first solar panel factory in Naivasha and
their panels are smaller than average offering higher wattage and more
affordable cost due to lack of import duties and transportation. Check them
out. Its a commonly held fallacy that
physical size of the panel is important.
Do's & Don'ts on How to buy an SHS: (also applicable to the other options above)
* Do find a reputable fundi with references
and experience in calculating your power requirements and designing the
requisite home system. This is the biggest reason for customer unhappiness with
the performance of solar energy.
* Don’t try to talk to all and sundry and
make up a list of components yourself. This is another major reason for
inadequate systems that fail to meet customer needs.
* Do your homework however. Nairobi’s CBD is the heart of the solar power
industry for the entire country and the latest products are seen here first.
* Don’t go window shopping without a list of
minimum requirements on what you wish your SHS to be able to power and for how
long.
* Do have an idea of your estimated budget.
For a 3-bedroom house in Nairobi, it’s
possible to start as low as $500.
* Don’t let the salesman confuse you until
you simply give up and plunk down the money for the nearest panel. Take the time to think over what you really
need to purchase.
* Do keep in mind that SHS are modular and
an experienced fundi can help you figure out your starter kit on which you can
keep adding over time as budget permits.
Photo and market research courtesy of @nitibhan
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