Kenya has long been a leader in renewable energy, with over 80% of its electricity generation coming from clean sources such as geothermal, hydro, wind, and increasingly, solar. While rooftop solar panels have become a familiar sight in urban areas, the real revolution is happening in large-scale, hybrid, and innovative solar applications.

At Jumba Engineering Services Ltd. (Jumba Engineering), we have been at the forefront of solar adoption in Kenya — from utility-scale farms to solar-powered carports and agricultural solutions. With over 40 years of experience in electrical and renewable energy projects, we see the future of solar as going beyond rooftops, transforming industries, communities, and national energy security.

Kenya’s Solar Landscape

  • Kenya enjoys an average solar insolation of 4–6 kWh/m²/day, making it one of Africa’s most promising solar markets.

  • The Energy Act 2019, enforced by EPRA, mandates integration of renewables in new buildings above certain load thresholds.

  • Falling costs of PV panels (over 80% drop since 2010) make solar more accessible.

  • Growing need for energy independence as grid tariffs rise and outages persist.

Beyond Rooftops: Emerging Solar Trends

  1. Utility-Scale Solar Farms
    Kenya is already seeing projects such as the 50 MW Garissa Solar Plant. Jumba Engineering has participated in proposals like the 200 MW Dakacha Magarini Solar Park. These projects feed directly into the national grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports.

  2. Hybrid Systems (Solar + Storage + Grid/Diesel)
    Many commercial farms and factories now install hybrid systems for reliability. Jumba Engineering has implemented such solutions at Shalimar Farm (1 MW solar with backup) and Menengai Farms (battery integration).

  3. Solar Carports and Parking Lots
    At Kilua Resort, Jumba Engineering designed and installed a solar-powered parking lot, combining shade for vehicles with renewable power generation. This dual-use model is gaining traction in urban developments.

  4. Agricultural Solar Applications
    Solar-powered irrigation, cold storage, and drying systems are helping farmers reduce costs and losses. With agriculture employing 70% of Kenya’s workforce, this sector will drive adoption.

  5. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
    With advances in lithium-ion and flow batteries, solar projects now include scalable storage. This reduces intermittency and enables off-grid independence.

Case Study: Shalimar Farm 1MW Solar Power Project

In Nakuru County, Jumba Engineering designed and installed a 1MW solar farm to power agricultural processing facilities.

Challenges:

  • High daytime load, fluctuating with equipment.

  • Frequent grid outages causing production losses.

Our Solution:

  • Installed 1 MW ground-mounted PV with inverters.

  • Integrated battery backup for night operations.

  • Smart load management to prioritize critical equipment.

Impact:

  • Reduced grid dependency by 70%.

  • Saved over KES 15M annually in energy costs.

  • Improved sustainability branding for the farm’s exports.

Financing Solar: Making Projects Accessible

One of the biggest barriers to solar adoption is upfront cost. At Jumba Engineering, we’ve partnered with institutions such as:

  • Equity Bank – green financing products.

  • KCB Bank – solar project loans.

  • Co-op Bank – SME solar financing.

  • Development Bank of Kenya (DBK) – renewable project support.

Through the Jumba Care Program, clients can access financing and flexible repayment plans, making solar projects viable for SMEs, farms, schools, and industries.

Global Standards We Follow

  • IEC 61215 & IEC 61730 – PV module performance & safety.

  • IEC 62109 – Inverter safety.

  • IEEE 1547 – Interconnection of distributed resources.

  • EPRA Solar PV Licensing – ensuring compliance in Kenya.

Benefits to Clients

By going beyond rooftop solar, clients gain:

  • Cost savings (20–60% reduction in electricity bills).

  • Energy independence (less reliance on unstable grid).

  • Sustainability credentials (supporting SDGs & ESG reporting).

  • New revenue streams (feeding excess power to grid under net metering).

  • Future-proofing against rising tariffs and carbon regulations.

Why Jumba Engineering is Leading the Charge

Jumba Engineering brings:

  • EPRA Class A1 and NCA1 licensing.

  • 40+ years of electrical expertise integrated with renewable technologies.

  • Proven projects: Shalimar Farm, Kilua Resort, Menengai Farms.

  • Strong financing partnerships for accessible solutions.

  • A dedicated Solar Division for design, supply, installation, and maintenance.

Conclusion

Kenya’s solar future is bigger than rooftops. From farms and factories to resorts and residential estates, solar is becoming a mainstream, large-scale, and financially viable solution.

At Jumba Engineering, we don’t just install solar systems — we design integrated, reliable, and future-ready energy solutions tailored to each client.

📧 Contact our Solar Division at jes@jesltd.co.ke or request a quote via our website to start your renewable energy journey today.