Accelerating Energy Access to the Rural Poor in Kenya through Pico-Solar Market Development

Benard O. Muok, Willis Bernard Makokha

Renewable energy technologies have the potential to contribute to both economic and social development through enhance energy access. Like many other sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries, Kenya has abundant renewable energy resources such as biomass, solar, wind, biofuel and geothermal. Recent studies shows that Kenya has the most vibrant and fastest growing solar energy market among the developing counties. Despite the great achievement, the market is still facing enormous challenges that must be addressed to exploit the full potentials of renewable energy. It is against this background that a study was taken to identify challenges that need to be addressed to unlock the potentials of pico solar in Kenya. The study was conducted in six countries (Bungoma, Embu, Kirinyaga, Kitui, Migori, and Samburu). Both secondary and primary data were used for this study. Key challenges were identified in the following areas of Local manufacturing; Marketing and private sector involvement; Pico solar energy policy; Consumer awareness and; Waste, environment and climate change consideration. The results of the study subjected a further discussion by stakeholders during a 3-day key stakeholders’ workshop held in Nakuru from 28^th to 30^th June 2016. The paper summarizes the discussion by the stakeholders and the key recommendations.