Factors Affecting Sustainability of Solar Mini - Grid Systems in Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate factors affecting sustainability of solar mini-grid systems in Kisii County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the influence of energy policy /framework advisory, implementation mechanism and capacity building/training on sustainability of solar mini- grid systems in Kisii County, Kenya. A descriptive research design was used in this study with a target population of 710 drawn from the customers connected to and the operators of solar mini – grid systems within Kisii County. Additionally, solar renewable energy resource was analyzed using Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) to determine the capacity of the installed solar mini grid systems. Energy policy framework, implementation mechanisms and capacity building/training were found to affect sustainability of solar mini - grid systems in Kisii County, Kenya with 63.5% change in sustainability of solar mini-grid system being attributed to these three factors. Evaluation of economic sustainability of solar mini-grid systems solution deployed in Kisii County deduced that the systems as designed and deployed had a 14 year return on investment, and this, on comparison with the useful project life of 20-25 years, was a pointer to a project that may least achieve economic sustainability. The study concluded that the systems as designed and deployed, were sustainable against environmental and social sustainability indicators. The study recommended that from a policy stand-point, the Government should map out exclusive zones for decentralized solar mini-grid systems deployment to improve on their economic sustainability through reduction of competition amongst other solar mini-grid implementers. The Government should also from a regulatory perspective, sanction a mandatory feed-in tariff mechanism where it is impractical to zone off areas exclusive for solar mini-grid deployment, especially in areas earmarked for national grid extension programme.