Kajiado, Kenya – On one side of the Isinya-Namanga road, Maasai herders slowly move their cattle, searching for any remaining grass in the dry, dusty land of Kajiado county. The harsh sun hits down on them as they push forward, hoping to find pasture.
Just a few meters away, at Latia Agribusiness Solutions (LAS), the same scorching sun tells a different story. Here, a new technology is changing how solar panels are used. They don’t just produce energy but help farmers grow food beneath them, keep the soil moist, and improve water use, making it possible to farm all year round, even in dry times.
This technology, called agrivoltaics-PV, allows farmers to ‘harvest the sun twice’ as it is commonly referred to. The panels generate power for the leaning structure, reduce heat stress on crops growing beneath them, minimize water loss, and boost overall crop yields.
To make the most of rainfall, gutters attached to the panels collect rainwater, which is stored in a 10,000-liter tank for irrigation. This helps farmers save water, an important resource in Kajiado, where borehole water is often salty.
Judy Wairimu, the lead agronomist of the project and a trainer in horticulture and dairy farming, explains how agrivoltaics has evolved since its inception in 2021.
“We planted our first crops in June 2021, and the results have been consistent. The crops growing beneath the panels perform better than those cultivated through traditional methods,” she notes
According to Wairimu, the benefits of agrivoltaics are evident in both quality and yield.
“Take tomatoes, for example. Under the agrivoltaics system, we harvested large, high-quality tomatoes, with just six pieces making up a kilogram. In contrast, tomatoes grown traditionally required 12 to 13 pieces to reach the same weight,” she explains.
The larger, healthier produce qualifies as grade-one, fetching higher market prices.
Nasimeu Sankei, a farmer participating in the agrivoltaics project, describes her experience as transformative. “I feel happy farming under the panels because they provide shade, shielding me from direct sunlight,” she says.
How Agrivoltaics Works
The agrivoltaics system consists of 180 solar panels each generating 345 watts, the panels are elevated about three meters above the ground to allow sufficient space for farming, sufficient sunlight and rainwater to reach the crops while shielding them from extreme temperatures.
“The system offers multiple advantages,” Wairimu explains. “The panels generate solar energy, provide shade to the crops, and collect rainwater. In turn, crops create a cooling effect by releasing moisture, which helps extend the lifespan of the panels.”
Water conservation is another major benefit. Crops under the panels require nearly 50% less water than those in open fields.
“For instance, if a traditional plot consumes 60,000 liters of water per season, an agrivoltaics plot will only need 30,000 liters. The shading effect reduces evaporation, leading to high water retention and a stable microclimate,” shared Wairimu during an interview at Latia.
According to her, the collaboration between the University of Sheffield, World Agroforestry, and Latia Agribusiness Solutions is taking shape and transforming agriculture through innovation in the Arid and Sem-Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kajiado just 90- minute drive outside Nairobi.
Not All Crops Thrive Equally
While agrivoltaics has proven successful in maize, leafy vegetables like lettuce, cabbages, and fruiting crops such as tomatoes, capsicum, and butternuts, others like bulb onions have struggled due to their need for prolonged direct sunlight.
The wet season also poses challenges. “Since the system isn’t a controlled environment like a greenhouse, heavy rainfall can lead to waterlogging, especially in black cotton soils,” Wairimu says.
Interest in agrivoltaics is growing among institutions and farmers. “We’ve had organizations, schools, and universities like Pwani University express interest in implementing smaller versions of the project,” Wairimu says. However, cost remains a barrier for individual farmers unless the system is scaled down.
Dr. John Recha, a scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), sees agrivoltaics as a promising solution to climate challenges in Kajiado and other ASAL regions across Kenya and beyond.
“Agrivoltaics provides partial shade, reducing soil moisture loss, lowering ground temperatures, and creating a microclimate that helps crops withstand extreme heat and drought conditions,” he explains.
Dr. Recha also highlights its role in food security. “Shaded crops experience less heat stress and require less irrigation, leading to improved yields. Agrivoltaics enables year-round production of vegetables, grains, and fodder, reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture.”
“For pastoralist communities, the system can be integrated with grass and fodder farming, providing a reliable source of animal feed. “Additionally, the shaded areas under the panels can serve as cool resting spots for livestock, reducing heat stress and improving overall animal health,” he adds.
According to Wairimu, the project’s initial cost was Kshs 12 million, but the financial and environmental advantages are undeniable. “Previously, we relied entirely on Kenya Power, incurring huge electricity bills. Now, with solar energy, we have reduced our power costs by over 60%,” Wairimu says.
“Additionally, we generate income from vegetable sales and harvest fresh rainwater, which is crucial given Kajiado’s saline borehole water.”
A February 2025 review published in Science Direct highlights the system’s impact over the years. Between June 2022 and May 2023, LAS consumed 54.31 MWh of electricity, with the agrivoltaics system providing 30.13 MWh (56% of total use).
This has resulted in an annual saving of approximately KES 903,900 ($5,725). If fully optimized, the system could produce up to 96.9 MWh annually, saving KES 2.9 million ($18,461) per year.
According to Dr Recha, for agrivoltaics to scale up, several factors need to be addressed: Government and Policy Support such as subsidies, tax benefits, and clear land-use regulations will be key. In addition, partnerships between solar energy companies and agricultural stakeholders can accelerate deployment.
Farmer Awareness and Capacity Building – As a knowledge-intensive practice, widespread adoption will depend on educating farmers about its benefits.
Comparison to Other Climate-Smart Agricultural Solutions
Dr. Recha also highlights that agrivoltaics stands out when compared to other climate-smart agricultural solutions because of its dual-purpose efficiency. “Unlike other climate-smart techniques, it integrates energy, water, and agriculture,” he adds,
“It can be adapted for both smallholder and commercial farming and unlike traditional methods, agrivoltaics directly supports rural electrification, powering irrigation and cold storage.”
However, its higher initial investment remains a challenge compared to other sustainable farming practices.
Wairimu believes county governments should take the lead in scaling up agrivoltaics. “If counties allocate land, drill boreholes, and set up agrivoltaics farms, they could ensure year-round livestock fodder production and vegetable farming. This would create employment, enhance food security, and sustain livestock during droughts.”
Communities could also benefit through cooperative models. “Imagine if each ward had an agrivoltaics farm run by the community. Women could manage vegetable cultivation, ensuring affordable produce while meeting children’s nutritional needs. Meanwhile, livestock keepers would have access to consistent fodder supply.”
“This story was produced with the support of the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) in partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation”
