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New Kenyan Property Developers Required To Install Solar Panels

New Kenyan Property Developers Required To Install Solar Panels

New home owners in Kenya will be fined up to 1 million shillings ($12,000) if they do not install solar panels on their buildings in the next three month, the standard quoted the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) saying on Tuesday.

The ERC has directed that homes and buildings that are likely to consume more than 100 liters of water must fit solar panels before May 25, 2014. The directive came into force in May 2012.

Buildings that existed before the directive came into force were given five years—May 25, 2017—to comply. Those who do not comply will face severe sanctions— they may be fined up to Sh1 million or face a jail term not exceeding one year, the ERC warns.

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK), which claims it is speaking on behalf of new home owners, however says consumers who have already constructed buildings should not be forced to fit photovoltaic panels.

COFEK’s Secretary General Stephen Mutoro told the standard “We should, however, be cautious that it does not become too expensive and turns out to be a burden to investors because in the long run the cost will be passed on to the consumer.”

Waweru Gathecha, chairman of the Architectural Association of Kenya, disagreed with Mutoro saying the country must be ready to adapt green energy and exploit solar power which is readily available.

“The market uptake of solar energy has been slow even though it is readily available . . . this is a progressive policy that will help Kenya tap an energy source that is abundant,” Gathecha told the standard.

To ensure that building owners have fitted these panels, the ERC will license those who design and install solar panels in addition to vendors, distributors and contractors dealing in solar equipment. By January 2014, there were just three companies that had been licensed as photovoltaic contractors in Kenya, far below the demand that will ensue once the directive comes into force.

Furthermore, the ERC may direct the Kenya Power Company, the sole electricity distributor in Kenya, to cease supplying electricity to buildings that do not have solar panels.