Solar in Kenya
Kenya’s weather has shown us how fragile our electrical grid is. In Kenya, the irregular power supply is a norm, and you can’t rely on it to power your home or run your business. Moreover, the rising cost of electricity in the country does not help in these unfavorable economic conditions.
Even if you want to connect your home or business to the main grid, you will part with more than Ksh35,000 for a single-phase and at least Ksh49,000 for a three-phase. The good news is that you can turn to one of the most reliable and affordable energy sources in Kenya. We are talking about solar panels.
Harnessing the sun’s power is the most efficient and cheapest way of keeping your business and home powered. Read on to discover all you ought to know about solar panels in Kenya.
First Things First, What Exactly is a Solar Panel and How Does it Work?
A solar panel, also known as a photovoltaic module, transforms sunlight into electricity. Solar panels contain many photovoltaic cells that convert light from the sun into useable electricity. Photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductors like boron and silicone to create and maintain an electrical field.
The first solar panel was created 100 years ago by Russell Ohl. At the time, Russell was working for Bell Laboratories. In the past, solar panels were used to provide energy to produce steam. Today, solar is used in a range of residential and commercial applications.
Solar panels work by absorbing renewable energy from the sun. This energy is then converted into safe electricity that can be used in homes and businesses. Homeowners and business owners can even store the energy for use as backup.
Types of Solar Panels
There are three types of Solar panels, namely monocrystalline, thin-film, as well as polycrystalline. Each has a specific performance, installation, and appearance. Let’s discuss all options in-depth:
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Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline panels have been around for a considerable time. They are made from silicone and appear black when the sun rays hit them. Even so, the frames and sheets are available in various designs and colors.
Customers love these panels because they offer high performance. However, they are pretty pricey compared with other solar types.
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Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Like monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels consist of silicon wafers. However, these wafers comprise fragments of silicon crystals. They are melted and molded into wafers.
Polycrystalline solar panels should be your go-to option if you are looking for a cheap alternative. However, they are not as effective as other solar types. Typically, they have a bluish hue. Like monocrystalline panels, these panels also come in various colors on the frames and the back sheets.
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Thin-film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels are manufactured from various materials like cadmium telluride (CdTe). Manufacturers lay it between different transparent conducting materials so that it can capture maximum sunlight. These panels also have a glass layer on the top for protection.
Other materials usually used in these panels include amorphous silicon as well as copper indium gallium selenide. They typically have both black and blue hues when it comes to color, depending on the material.
Why You Should Go Solar in Kenya?
Harnessing the power of the sun to power your home and business comes with many benefits. Discover how solar energy can benefit your home and business in Kenya below:
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Lower Your Electricity Bills
The price of household electricity in Kenya is around Ksh23.360 per kWh. On the other hand, businesses part with Ksh18.953 per kWh. These prices include taxes, distribution, and the cost of power.
Compared to the average electricity prices globally, households pay Ksh10 more per kWh, and businesses pay Ksh6 more per kWh. If you want to reduce these expenses or even eliminate them, switching to solar is the way to go.
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Value for Your Money
Going solar guarantees a massive return on your investments. Amazingly, it will take around 3 to 6 years to get your money back. After that, you will keep all the savings and financial benefits to yourself.
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Play Your Part
You can contribute to the adoption of carbon-cutting renewable energy sources by going green. Installing solar panels on your home or business will help build a greener and sustainable planet for our future generations.
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Enjoy Tax Benefits
Many businesses and households in the country are switching to solar due to the recent tax changes. Now, solar products are tax-exempt, thanks to the finance bill 2022. These VAT exemptions will reduce the cost of solar panels and equipment in Kenya.
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Increase Property Value
Installing solar panels in your home or business might increase Your property’s value by more than 4.1%. That means that your property’s resale value will increase after going solar. Moreover, properties with solar panels sell 20% faster than properties without solar panels.
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Solar Energy is Reliable
Power outages in the country occur due to extreme weather, animals, poor quality equipment, vehicle accidents, and vandalism. Occasional service interruptions and winds also cause power outages in Kenya.
Simply put, relying on the main electrical grid to power your home or business can be costly and frustrating. That is why you should switch to a more reliable and clean energy source such as solar. You will have complete control over your energy needs when you switch to solar.
You can also store additional energy to use as a backup during a power outage. Above all, it will cushion you from the rising electrical prices in the country.
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