BY FRED DEYA
The uptake of solar energy in Kenya’s rural is currently convincing as the middle class inhabitants hope for energy revolution, thanks to some local and international solar manufacturing companies for lucrative job.
The adaptation of solar usage among rural dwellers has taken another positive twist even though the usage and implementation of the renewable energy in the entire country is still low, taking below 1 percent of the total national energy.
However, Assisi Nursing Home, 500 meters off Kenya’s Nairobi- Mombasa road have all to showcase about the use of the solar energy, tapping the natural energy by the use of roofed solar panels.
The healthcare centre which is managed by Indian Missionaries acquired a number of solar panels (250 Watts each) from Solar Watts E.A LTD, a locally incorporated solar manufacturing and installation company in Kenya.
The free and natural energy at the premises is capable of lighting the entire premises and also power the drugs storing fridges.
“The idea of installing solar within our hospital facilities was thoughtful due to non-reliable on grid electricity. The solar energy is free and natural which is 24 hours reliable”, said Sister Celine, a clinical doctor at the nursing home.
Celina never forgot to acknowledge the importance of solar plant as she noted the bosom of laboratory operation, saying “the solar energy that is trapped direct from the sun is stored in power saving batteries. The power system is connected to the hospital’s laboratory which is quite reliable because there have been no cases of power blackout in the testing room”.
The healing centre is 24- hour operational, an advantage to the locals for health emergencies. It is also a place for Working in Doctors and Clinics, Hospitals business activities.
According to health expert, the installation of the solar energy is a kind of operation and activities boost because there is clinical operation extension with reliable power source unlike electricity which is unpredictable.
“We are happy for the Nursing home, more so the installation of Solar system at the facilities”, says Erick Ambatta, a Moto-bike operator at Mlolongo. Ambatta was speaking to us at the clinical hosipital where he took his little daughter, saying “I have ditched the previous health centre where I used to take my family and preferred Assisi because of its reliability.
This Nursing home is just good for my family and the solar system is an added advantage because am sure that my family and I will be attended to”.
However, amid the rapid population growth in the country, the access to energy is still a pipe dream as only 20 percent of Kenya’s population have access to clean energy with remaining rely on either kerosene or wood fuel for lighting and cooking.
“Kenya has great potential for the access and use of solar energy throughout the year due to its location near the equator, however, the potentiality to trap the natural energy should be a concern from both the government and Solar experts”, said Lamarck Oyath, managing director and energy expert at Lartech Africa Limited, a technology and consultancy firm.
Oyath said that the access to solar energy in the country is still wanting as only 1 percent of its energy comes from solar.
“The adaptability of the use of solar energy in the country depends on individual understanding and knowledge about the natural energy”, said the energy expert, adding that there is solar regulatory program aims at rolling out solar technology in the country. He said that the initiative will see all households using 100 liters of water a day have a solar.
For fishermen and community at Sori, solar energy is a turning point to a big benefit, not just because of energy it provides but a one-time investment with little cost of maintenance. A solar plant can run for 20 years in operation under minimum maintenance.
