NAIROBI — Installation of solar panels in homes is on the rise following the recent rise in oil prices, which has led to an increase in the cost of electricity. Not only is electricity expensive due to a fuel surcharge, but there have also been numerous and unexplained power disconnections, particularly in Nairobi. This has caused a surge in demand for fuel-powered generators, and a growing interest in solar energy. Mr Prakash Wanzah, the marketing manager of Jua Moto Systems, who sell solar energy systems, says: ‘The uptake is very high, but there is lack of sensitisation, complete solution providers and service to the rural areas’. Another vendor, Mr Pavin Chukla of Solar Africa, is even more upbeat. ‘Demand is too much. We used to sell ten pieces of various sizes of solar panels per day. Today we are selling 30 pieces every day,’ he says. Products on offer range from solar power packs, solar home light systems, solar concentrating cookers, solar parabolic cookers, wind generators, solar lanterns, solar electric water pumping system, evacuate tube collector, solar water heating system, flat plate water heating systems and solar street lights among others. According to Mr Leornard […]