The Sun Rises in the East (of Africa): A Comparison of the Development and Status of the Solar Energy Markets in Kenya and Tanzania

Janosch Ondraczek ()

No FNU-197, Working Papers from Research unit Sustainability and Global Change, Hamburg University

Abstract: This paper describes, compares and analyses the historical development and current status of Kenya's and Tanzania's emerging solar energy markets. The analysis is based on an extensive literature survey and 25 in-depth personal interviews with experts on the East African solar power market. Kenya's solar market is found to be one of the world's leading markets for off-grid solar uses, with a current installed capacity of over 10 MWp and more than 320,000 solar home systems. Having developed much later than the Kenyan market, Tanzania's market still remains smaller than its neighbour's, with an installed capacity of around 4 MWp and at least 40,000 solar home systems, but is in the process of catching up. In addition to solar home systems, other applications of solar energy technologies, such as in social institutions, telecoms and tourism, are covered. Major differences and similarities between the Kenyan and Tanzanian solar markets are identified and reasons for these are analysed. Initial policy i implications regarding the regulation and promotion of solar energy in East Africa suggest that awareness, availability and affordability are major drivers that all need to be present to enable the widespread uptake of off-grid solar technologies in emerging markets.

Keywords: Solar energy; Photovoltaic energy; Market development; East Africa; Kenya; Tanzania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q42 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2012-01-27, Revised 2012-01-27
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr and nep-ene
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The sun rises in the east (of Africa): A comparison of the development and status of solar energy markets in Kenya and Tanzania (2013)
Working Paper: The Sun Rises in the East (of Africa): A Comparison of the Development and Status of the Solar Energy Markets in Kenya and Tanzania (2011)
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