Kenya’s schools and hospitals are grappling with unrelenting energy crises — one characterized by ever-increasing electricity bills, persistent blackouts, and an over-reliance on non-sustainable energy sources. At the heart of this crisis lies a clear and urgent opportunity: the shift to solar power.
Leading the charge in solar adoption in Kenya is Miale Solar, a leading innovator in the solar energy sector. According to Stephen Adwong’a, the company’s chief executive, solar energy shouldn’t just be viewed as a substitute; it’s a necessity for schools and hospitals pushing for operational efficiency, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability.
“Every indication suggests that solar technology will soon be widely adopted by all schools and hospitals in Kenya. As knowledge grows, training becomes more accessible, perceived and actual financial risks decline, and solar technology gets more affordable, all of the aforementioned challenges can be resolved,” Adwong’a said.
The grave weight of energy costs
Current trends indicate that institutions all around Africa and the rest of the world are adopting solar energy as the key to a sustainable future. For Kenya, efforts have been made to expand access to power and lower costs through programs including Vision 2030, the BIG-4 Agenda, and universal electricity access through the Last Mile Connectivity Program to guarantee dependable and climate-resilient energy systems. Already, a concrete foundation for cleaner and more sustainable energy integration has been established by targeting a 100% transition to renewable electricity by 2030 (88% in 2022).
Miale Solar is responding by laying out an unquestionable path for boosting solar adoption countrywide.
Commenting on why schools and hospitals must act now, Adwong’a said: “Solar energy is not just cheaper in the long run; it’s more reliable and predictable in our Kenyan scenario. By switching to solar, institutions can reduce their energy costs by up to 70%, freeing up money for other priorities like hiring employees or buying necessary equipment.”
More studies show that utilizing solar technology, such as commercial rooftop solar panels, can drastically cut electricity costs by up to 70%.
Miale has set up a number of installations in different hospitals. Tenri Hospital is one example; its activities are powered by a 72 kWp Grid-Tie Solar PV Plant, which guarantees consistent electricity. The initiative, which is funded by a 10-year PPA, sustainably reduces costs and increases production. Other hospitals are Lugulu Hospital (30 kWP), Nightingale Hospital in Kisumu (80 kWP), and Outspan Hospital (185 KwP grid-tied).
Miale Solar pursues a multi-sectoral approach to solar installations. Other than hospitals, Miale Solar’s installation of a 1.23 MWp solar PV system at Naivasha Water and Sewerage Company is expected to reduce energy costs by over 50%, demonstrating the potential for similar savings in schools and hospitals. At Home Tena Quarry, Miale installed a 402 kW solar PV system, which has the potential to cut carbon emissions by 253,365 kg CO2e annually. Such initiatives showcase Miale’s ability to design and execute impactful solar projects tailored to client needs.
Adwong’a asserts that solar systems, particularly when combined with battery storage, offer a continuous power supply, removing the interruptions brought on by blackouts. In his view, an optimal changeover to solar energy is imminent, bearing in mind that the prices of solar panels have plummeted, making them increasingly affordable, and cheaper to install in the long run.
The dramatic decline in the price of clean energy over the past few decades has been one of the most revolutionary technological developments. Over the past ten years, for instance, the cost of solar photovoltaics has decreased by 90% worldwide, onshore wind by 70%, and batteries by over 90%. Wright’s Law describes the “learning curve” that these technologies have followed. According to this theory, technology’s cost steadily decreases as its total production rises.
“Schools and hospitals can drastically lower their carbon footprints by implementing solar power, which is consistent with Kenya’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement,” Adwong’a stated.
According to a recent survey, Kenya has the fourth-highest household power costs in Africa. At the time, Kenyan households paid $0.222 (Sh24.65) per kWh for power, whereas the global average was $0.136 (Sh15.10) per kWh. The price covers every element of the electricity bill, including taxes, power expenses, and distribution fees. This amount is far higher than that of Tanzania ($0.10 per kWh) and Ethiopia ($0.06 per kWh), two adjacent countries.
These costs are more than just figures for hospitals and schools; they are the difference between financial catastrophes and balanced budgets. Many public schools, for instance, operate on shoestring budgets, and energy bills consume a significant portion of their operational costs. The proportion of primary schools receiving electricity increased from 56% to 94% between 2014 and 2016. While remotely located schools acquired solar photovoltaics, those closer to the grid network were connected to grid electricity. Today, over 65% of Kenyan secondary schools spend more than 10% of their yearly budgets on power alone, as per a 2022 Ministry of Education assessment.
A similar scenario applies to hospitals. Power outages can spell the difference between life and death since medical devices like ventilators, imaging machines, and lab instruments depend on steady electricity. According to a 2023 study by the Kenya Healthcare Federation, up to 20% of medium-sized hospitals’ operating costs were energy-related. The county government in Makueni County, for instance, pays roughly $13,000 a month for electricity for just one of its primary facilities, Makueni Level 6 Hospital, which sees 1,000–1,200 patients every day. To cut expenses, the county administration is looking into solar energy. Solar systems have the significant advantage of lowering long-term operating and maintenance expenses by eliminating the need for generators and providing savings over grid-provided electricity.
Solar energy is also an answer to sporadic blackouts. While Kenya has experienced periodic blackouts for decades, subtle evidence from industry data suggests that the situation could suddenly be worsening. In August and September 2024, for instance, nationwide blackouts forced hospitals to rely on costlier diesel generators and schools. While they are an essential backup, diesel generators are not a long-term answer. They cost upwards of $0.25 per kWh to operate and are a major source of carbon emissions. In the age of the green revolution, dependence on such non-sustainable technology is unacceptable for organizations entrusted with educating children and saving lives.
Miale Solar is Breaking the Barriers to Adoption
In the face of its glaring advantages, solar energy adoption must face up to hurdles, such as high upfront costs and limited awareness.
“Funding is one of the main obstacles”, Mr Adwong’a clarified, “to integrating distributed renewable energy into Africa’s healthcare system.” For instance, according to a recent assessment by Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), it will cost $235 million to electrify Kenya’s healthcare institutions alone, of which $133 million will go to commercial facilities and $102 million to public ones. Long-term cost benefits are possible with on-site solar electricity, although initial equipment costs can be high.
Miale Solar is addressing these challenges head-on using innovative financing models like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and lease-to-own options. This implies that a hospital with a PPA can purchase solar energy at a lower cost than grid electricity and without incurring any up-front expenses. This model guarantees both short- and long-term savings.
Therefore…
Switching to solar power is no longer an option; it’s a prerequisite as Kenya’s hospitals and schools tussle with soaring electricity costs and unrelenting blackouts. Miale Solar offers solar solutions for sustainable, cost-effective solutions that ensure reliability and align with global environmental goals.
With a track record of success and creative solutions, Miale is paving the way for Kenyan institutions. The question now is not whether or not hospitals and schools should use solar power, but rather when.
Let’s use “today” as the response. The sun is rising on Kenya’s energy future. Will your institution rise with it? For more information on how your institution can join the solar revolution, contact us at Miale Solar.