In 2014, Strathmore University embarked on a journey to install solar power on campus with the intention of lowering electricity bills while conserving the environment.
Recognising the inevitable increase in electricity costs, the university opted to install a solar PV system atop six buildings, comprising 2400 solar panels generating 600 kilowatts of solar power, and equipped with 25 inverters, with a projected lifespan of over 20 years.
Choosing to set up the solar plant on the rooftop was preferred due to space limitations, as opposed to establishing a solar farm.
A decade later, the investment has proven fruitful, with the university slashing expenses on electricity by up to Sh81 million.
This success story was recently shared by Strathmore University with vice chancellors of public and private universities at a meeting organized by the Universities Fund to discuss funding for clean energy.
During an incisive presentation, Thomas Bundi, a quality engineer at the Strathmore Energy Research Centre, shed light on the institution’s journey, highlighting pitfalls universities should avoid to succeed.
“If you look at our electricity bill, you’ll note that 30 percent was knocked off by solar, meaning that currently we are only paying the remaining amount,” he remarked.
In 2015, the University signed a power purchase agreement with Kenya Power to begin injecting power into the national grid. Presently, the university sells power to Kenya Power mostly during weekends and non-term periods, prioritizing consumption of what the plant generates during normal operations.
The journey of transitioning to solar power commenced with internal approval at the university in November 2013.
A proper feasibility study preceded subsequent steps to ensure the proposed solar system made sense.
“You might be promised a lot of things, but without an actual feasibility study with your own due diligence, the project might fail,” warned Eng. Bundi.
Financing the solar plant came from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to the tune of $1.3 million through the Sunroof program, with a green light of credit of 4.1% per annum. Cooperative Bank of Kenya supplemented the rest of the financing. Construction was carried out by Quest Works, a local engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm, which continues to operate and maintain the plant.
“Be sure to source for products which you can get locally or have enough stock for in case anything happens you can quickly replace,” advised university officials.
In addition to powering the institution, the solar plant at Strathmore is utilized for academic purposes to train engineers, technicians, and students on renewable energy grid integration. It has also served as a research tool and facilitated partnerships with industry.
The system has garnered awards for Strathmore, including recognition from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Renewable Energy Project Awards 2015
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