Clean captive power: Understanding the uptake and growth of commercial and industrial (C&I) solar PV in Kenya

The UNEP-DTU Partnership, with support from DANIDA, is implementing a three-year project, The Technology, Markets and Investment for Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Development (TEMARIN) in two African countries, namely Kenya and Uganda. This project aims to: 1) analyse successful case studies of market-led interventions and mechanisms in Kenya, and identify key learnings; 2) support technology transfer partnerships in respect of a selected climate mitigation and adaptation technology in Uganda; and 3) understand how local PV companies can increase their share of the global value chain and support them in doing so by co-creating knowledge and recommendations in Kenya and Uganda.

This report contributes to the project’s aim by undertaking a detailed analysis of clean captive generation through solar PV in Kenya. It provides an analysis of the market mechanisms involved in the diffusion of technology and the key drivers and determining factors which led to this uptake, and shares lessons and recommendations. This example shows how the captive PV segment has evolved in Kenya, through which actors and supporting factors, and by what means in terms of support structures, enabling environment, policy incentives etc. The idea is to provide rich empirical insights into the mechanisms of technology diffusion, market creation and investment opportunities for climate technologies, and to identify some of the current barriers to further market expansion. The conclusion summarizes key lessons and takeaways.

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Authors:Lucy Ellen Gregersen, Padmasai Lakshmi Bhamidipati
Status:Published
Published year:2020
Content type:Report
File: Download
Orbit ID:5e5da3be-e752-4ed3-9bae-55e73440a33b
Is current:Current
No. of pages:44