The global energy sector currently undergoes a transformation at a pace few could have predicted a decade ago. According to the latest research by global energy thinktank Ember, clean energy sources accounted for over 40% of global electricity generation in 2024, the most visible energy revolution “not seen since the industrial expansions of the 1940s.” Among these, solar farms have emerged as the world’s fastest-growing source of electricity, underlining a profound shift in the global energy matrix.
Stephen Adwong’a, Miale Solar’s chief executive, said: “Solar power has gradually transformed into the engine of the global energy transition. When combined with battery storage, solar is becoming an inexorable force. We have seen that it is the fastest-growing and, without a doubt, the largest source of clean energy making it the force that will meet the world’s ever-growing demand for electricity.”
In general, solar power remains a comparatively small fragment of the global energy system. It comprises nearly 7% of the world’s electricity, as of 2024, according to Ember. Wind power makes up nearly 8% of the global power system.
Current trends in Kenya
Nowhere is this shift more noticeable, or more urgent, than in Kenya. Traditionally considered a leader in geothermal energy, Kenya has begun making significant investments in solar infrastructure. As of December 2024, solar energy contributed 3.5% to the country’s electricity generation mix, while geothermal accounted for 41.7%. Though modest in proportion, the growth trajectory for solar is steep. The country’s average annual generation per unit of installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity ranges from 1400-1600 kWh per kilowatt-peak (kWp). Statistics from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that solar power generated climbed to a record 492.48 million kWh in 2023 as a result of the rising number of solar farms, marking an increase of around 28% from the output a year earlier.
Nationally, strategic projects have strengthened this expansion. The Malindi Solar Power Station, commissioned in 2022, contributes 52MW to the national grid, and 40MW Alten Kenya solarfarms plant in Uasin Gishu, commissioned in 2023. Others include the upcoming Kisumu Solar Power Station, which will add another 40MW upon its commissioning in 2025. Additionally, KenGen’s innovative 42.5MW floating solar farm at Kamburu Dam signals new technical approaches to optimizing renewable assets.
Miale Solar is spearheading transformative solar farm initiatives across Kenya, directly impacting critical sectors such as water access, healthcare, agribusiness, and residential development. At the Naivasha Water & Sanitation Company, Miale installed a 1.23 MWp Grid-Tie Solar PV solar farm, which powers Naivasha’s water and sanitation services and is financed through a 12-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Other farms Miale developed include a 402 kWp Grid-Tie Solar PV System generating 619,929 kWh yearly for Home Kena quarry in Kajiado County. Meanwhile, Van Den Berg Roses and Shalimar Flowers, major horticultural exporters, now enjoy improved energy efficiency and carbon footprint reductions, thanks to customized solar installations tailored to the demanding energy needs of flower farming and cooling systems. These projects are financed through flexible options like lease-to-own agreements and long-term PPAs, reinforcing Miale’s commitment to scalable, green energy access.
Case studies at Miale Solar have made it even possible to identify the drivers behind Kenya’s solar. They include increasing electricity demand, rising grid costs, and the need for decentralized energy solutions that can reach rural and peri-urban communities. With over 75% of Kenya’s landmass enjoying an average of 4-6 peak sun hours per day, there is no doubt that solar remains a realistic choice.
Solar Growth in a Continental Context
Africa’s embrace of solar technology is gaining momentum, although at a slower pace compared to global counterparts. In 2024, the continent added 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity, bringing total installations to 19.2GW. According to current projections, Africa could double its capacity by adding an extra 23GW by 2028.
However, scaling solar across Africa faces persistent structural challenges. The capital cost of solar projects in Africa remains three to seven times higher than in mature energy markets. Although clean energy investment across Africa doubled to $40 billion in 2024, the continent still attracted just 3% of global energy investment flows.
This financing gap stems largely from perceptions of higher political and currency risks, limited project bankability, and underdeveloped domestic capital markets. Consequently, although Africa boasts 60% of the world’s best solar resources, it accounts for less than 1% of installed global solar capacity.
If this imbalance persists, Africa risks missing an opportunity to advance to a decentralized, low-carbon energy future. This kind of future is increasingly essential for both climate resilience and economic competitiveness.
Strategic Imperatives for Kenya and African Markets
For Kenya’s leading solar developers like Miale Solar, the focus remains on delivering projects that not only meet growing energy demands but do so affordably, reliably, and sustainably. Miale’s experience shows that Kenyan commercial and industrial customers (C&I) customers tend to focus on hybrid solutions, which includes integrating solar with storage and mini-grid infrastructure, to support both grid-tied and off-grid clientele.
For policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders, the implications are clear. The opportunity for solar development in the continent, specifically in high-irradiance markets like Kenya, is both economically and strategically compelling.
First, according to Adwong’a, solar energy offers the potential for energy security and price stability. Kenya’s overreliance on hydropower and geothermal exposes it to hydrological risks and geological limitations, respectively. Solar farms, on the other hand, says Adwong’a, provide a scalable and modular alternative capable of being rapidly deployed to meet surging demand in urban and rural areas alike.
Second, as highlighted by DNS Africa, solar investments align closely with corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities. International investors, especially those headquartered in Europe and North America, are increasingly directing capital toward renewable energy projects in alignment with their net-zero commitments.
Third, from a national economic perspective, local solar development drives job creation, particularly in engineering, construction, and maintenance. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the renewable energy sector could create more than 2 million jobs in Africa by 2030 if current trends accelerate.
Policy and Investment Instruments
According to Adwong’a, several policy interventions could accelerate the growth of solar farms in Kenya and the broader African market. These include regulatory streamlining to shorten permitting and interconnection timelines. According to a research by Ember, other measures for acceleration include financial de-risking tools such as loan guarantees and blended finance mechanisms, and support for local manufacturing of solar panels and components to reduce import reliance and stimulate domestic industries. A growing body of research collated by African Development Bank (AfDB), has also emphasized capacity-building programs to develop local expertise in solar engineering and project management.
International development institutions and green finance initiatives, including Africa50, the AfDB, and the World Bank’s Scaling Solar Program, have already started implementing such measures, but scaling these efforts will be critical.
Therefore…
Solar farms are no longer a speculative vision for Africa, as case studies from Miale Solar shows they are becoming the foundation for the continent’s clean energy future. In Kenya, significant progress is being made yet the journey is far from complete. With the right blend of policy support, private-sector investment, and community engagement, solar energy could not only meet Africa’s rising energy demands but position the continent as a leader in sustainable development. As the global energy landscape shifts, Kenya and Africa have an extraordinary opportunity. They can power their future not with imported fuels, but with the abundant sun above them. At Miale Solar, we are proud to be part of that future by developing solar solutions for C&I clientele content-wide.