Factors influencing adoption of Solar technology in Lakipia North constituency, Kenya

Abstract

Solar Energy is the energy from the Sun. The Sun is a big ball of heat and light resulting from nuclear fusion at its core. In one day, the sun sends 10,000 to 15,000 times more energy to the earth than we can all collectively use (Msafiri 66, 2009). Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into Electricity, either directly or using Photovoltaic panels, a method of generating electricity by converting the suns radiation into direct current electricity using semi conductors. Kenya envisions transforming itself into a newly-industrializing, middle-income country by 2030, with a globally competitive and prosperous economy and high quality of life in a clean and secure environment. To achieve this vision, energy is identified as one of the foundations and enablers of the socio-economic transformation envisaged in the country. Only 44% of Kenyans have access to Grid Electricity meaning Solar energy provides Kenyan government with the opportunity to address energy challenges without the need for expensive power generation projects, transmission and distribution networks. This objective of this study is to assess the extent to which the level of knowledge and awareness of solar technology influences adoption of domestic solar technology, to investigate the extent to which the level of income of households influences adoption, it also seeks to establish the extent Education of house hold head influence adoption of solar technology and finally to which extent the availability of substitute power source influence adoption of solar technology in laikipia North constituency This study aims at establishing the factors that influence the adoption of solar technology in Laikipia North constituency, a descriptive survey design will be used in the study, a stratified random sampling was used to identify a sample and data was collected using questionnaires and structured interview schedules. A sample of 365 households was be studied from a target population of 6733 households; only 300 household heads responded which represented 82,2% of the targeted. The findings indicate that the community has not adopted much to solar technology with only 32% using solar in the region. The findings of the study may be of use to the Ministry of Energy, to the government in general and to most Energy Solution Companies including Kenya Power and Lighting Company as Kenya looks to achieve vision 2030