Kenya has a remarkable potential in solar energy, but only 1percent (52MW) of the country’s energy mix has been explored. In 2014, to tap on the high potential, Professor Izael Pereira da Silva the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and innovation, advised the Strathmore university located about five kilometres away from the Nairobi city centre to install a 600megawatts solar project to cut down on escalating power bills.
Professor Da Silva says today the university generates around 90 000 units monthly during summer and about 55 000 units during winter. About 30 percent of the production is sold to the national utility Kenya Power and lighting Company (KPLC).