Light up your outdoors using solar power

Alternative energy is quickly becoming the better option for many home owners despite the initial cost of setting up the system. Research has shown that although the cost of switching to these unconventional power sources may be high initially, in the long run, you end up saving quite a substantial amount of money. Alternative energy reduces a homeowner's reliance on power from the national grid which can be erratic when you need it most. It also saves them money and provides a better back up power solution in case of outages. To back its importance, the government in 2012 published the Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations in a gazette notice which makes it mandatory for developers and home owners to install solar water heating systems in their properties. Late last year, the energy regulator followed up with a notice to the Kenya Power warning the distributor on connecting new buildings and homes to the power grid, unless they comply with the renewable energy guidelines. The rules require commercial and residential buildings tapping power from the national grid to install solar water heaters. The provision allows only compliant properties to be connected to the national electricity grid.

https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/magazines/1248928-969596-view-asAMPdduk0g/index.html

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Thousands-of-Kenyans-to-benefit-from-solar-power-project/1056-5460734-t1e9nuz/index.html

https://www.esi-africa.com/industry-sectors/renewable-energy/garissa-solar-plant-soars-kenyas-renewable-endeavour-to-new-high/

https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/ergon-solair-gets-nod-for-40-mw-fit-backed-solar-project-in-kenya-694687/

https://www.lightingglobal.org/news/kenya-energy-minister-says-kenya-is-making-strides-in-solar-uptake-for-off-grid-households/

• By Admin --
• May 5th,2020

Solar kits to boost war on malaria

A group of local and foreign researchers have developed a plan to eradicate malaria from a Kenyan island without using insecticides. The solar powered mosquito trap is part of a three-in-one idea that will also provide residents of Rusinga Island with sustainable electricity. Each house is fitted with a rooftop solar panel, two light fixtures and a charging point for mobile phones. Dubbed SolarMal, the trial project which begun in February 2012, is led by Prof Willem Takken of Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Dr Richard Mukabana of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology. The project targets more than 4,200 homesteads in the next four years. REDUCE DEPENDENCY The concept is to lure mosquitoes into traps using nylon strips thereby reducing dependency on insecticides. Dr Mukabana says: "Malaria is a problem, especially for the 30,000 people in Rusinga Island. The daily trapping of mosquitoes leads to a gradual decline in their population, so people will receive fewer mosquito bites and leading to fewer malaria cases." SolarMal was started to combat malaria after the failure of another project that aimed at distributing more than 10 million mosquito nets.

https://www.pumps-africa.com/kenya-solar-water-heating-law-reviewed-to-spare-home-owners/

https://www.nation.co.ke/business/MPs-quash-punitive-law-on-failure-to-install-solar-water-heaters/996-4699326-8goj2d/index.html

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019-01-04-solar-pumped-water-slakes-rural-kenyas-thirst-for-development/

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001245523/solar-water-pump-makes-farming-easy-and-cheap

• By Admin --
• May 9th,2020