Study takes a dim view of solar products

One in five Kenyans buying a solar application is being sold a defective product, a Government-funded audit has revealed.

A survey carried out in 25 counties by Strathmore University, Nairobi, says 21 per cent of the applications are defective, with about 60 per cent of these being only 3-6 months old.

The findings were presented a fortnight ago in Nairobi during the National Science Week organised by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation.

“The defects ranged from phone charging problems, reduced lighting hours, battery charging problems and defective solar panels,” said Izael Da Silva of Strathmore University who led the study.

Even where covered by a warranty, Prof Da Silva said it was almost impossible to get a replacement, forcing consumers to revert to the use of kerosene and other dirty fuels.

Going by estimates made by a team from the Physics Department of University of Nairobi led by Dr Sebastian Waita, about 30,000 home systems and 80,000 solar lanterns are marketed in the country annually.

“Defective solar applications and fake installers are a big headache for Kenyans in areas not covered by the electricity grid and would wish to come from the darkness,” says Peter Mwangi.

Mwangi recently told The Standard that he lost Sh60,000 after a solar application he had installed for his aging mother in Muranga County turned dysfunctional.

“Barely two months after installation the system had packed and we never knew who between the manufacturers or the installer was guilty because each blamed the other,” said Mwangi.

But Robert Pavel Oimeke, the director in charge of Renewable Energy at the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), said they had largely managed to block the importation of substandard applications.

“We have adopted a broad approach where we want to ensure sound regulation to shield the market and consumers from faulty products. We have licensed all the importing companies and the latter must follow certain specifications of the products,” said Mr Oimeke.

Not trained

He suspected that technicians installing the products were not well-trained and thus contributing to collapse of the solar systems few months after they are have been installed.

The Energy (Solar Photovoltaic Systems) Regulations, 2012 which came into operation in January 2014 require that design, installation, repair and maintenance of a solar system be done in accordance with the relevant Kenyan Standards. The list is available on the commission’s website.

It is also a requirement that all manufacturers, vendors, distributors, contractors and installers of solar equipment be registered with ERC.