Adoption of Photovoltaic Systems and Its Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts on the Community in Taita Taveta County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V1E5/2025-03Keywords:
Photovoltaics, renewable energy, sustainability, solar, Green Energy Transition, Solar irradiance, Taita Taveta.Abstract
Purpose of the study: The study examined the adoption of photovoltaic systems and its social, economic and environmental impacts in Taita Taveta County.
Problem statement: Although Kenya lies within the tropical zone and receives abundant solar radiation throughout the year, the uptake of solar technology remains low among rural populations due to high installation costs, limited financing, and inadequate awareness. In Taita Taveta County, where solar irradiance averages 4–6 kWh/m², many households remain off-grid and depend on non-renewable sources like kerosene and firewood, resulting in persistent energy poverty, health risks, and environmental degradation.
Methodology: A descriptive research design was adopted, targeting four sub-counties i.e. Voi, Taveta, Mwatate, and Wundanyi. The study population comprised 97,334 households, with 23.8% (23,165 households) identified as off-grid. A sample of 279 households was determined using Cochran’s formula. Stratified random sampling was then applied to ensure representation of rural off-grid households from the four sub-counties in Taita Taveta County as follows; Voi (91), Taveta (75), Mwatate (67), and Wundanyi (46). The study employed a multiple linear regression model.
Results of the study: The findings showed that slightly more than half of the households surveyed had adopted PV systems, demonstrating a growing but not yet universal shift towards solar energy. Correlation analysis revealed that while adoption challenges had an inverse relationship with PV uptake, the social, economic, environmental, and sustainability dimensions were positively correlated with adoption success. Regression analysis showed that adoption challenges exhibited a significant negative effect, indicating that greater barriers to adoption hinder PV uptake.
Conclusion and policy: Despite existing challenges, over half of the households had adopted PV systems, showing rising acceptance and notable socio-economic and environmental benefits. These insights can guide policymakers in designing incentives and financing models to enhance PV adoption.s
Recommendations: The study recommended government partnerships to enhance subsidies, affordable financing, and technical support, while integrating PV adoption into rural development and county energy plans.
References
1) Abid, M. K., Kumar, M. V., Raj, V. A., & Dhas, M. (2023). Environmental impacts of the solar photovoltaic systems in the context of globalization.
2) Abebaw, S. E. (2024). Household fuelwood consumption and its implication for carbon dioxide emission. New Energy Exploitation and Application, 3(2), 215-227.
3) Adungosi, F. A., & Odollo, L. (2020). An Empirical Analysis of Innovative Strategies and the Growth of Solar Energy Companies in Nairobi County, Kenya. European Journal of Business and Management.
4) Ahmed, S., Ali, A., Ansari, J. A., Qadir, S. A., & Kumar, L. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Scope, Technologies, Applications, Progress, Challenges and Recommendations.
5) Al-Rawi, O. F., Bicer, Y., & Al-Ghamdi, S. G. (2023). Sustainable solutions for healthcare facilities: examining the viability of solar energy systems. Frontiers in Energy Research, 11, 1220293.
6) Ang’u, C. (2023). Analysis of Clean Energy Technologies’ Effects on Eneooorgy Poverty: Household Air Pollution and Human Health in Vihiga County, Kenya.
7) Asmelash, E., Prakash, G., Gorini, R., & Gielen, D. (2020). Role of IRENA for global transition to 100% renewable energy. In Accelerating the transition to a 100% renewable energy era (pp. 51-71).
8) Balakrishnan, P. (2025). Global Renewable Energy Transition Challenges and Strategic Solutions. In Geopolitical Landscapes of Renewable Energy and Urban Growth (pp. 63-96).
9) Barman, J. (2011). Design and feasibility study of PV systems in Kenya.
10) Bauknecht, M. (2015) Decentralized Energy System: Electricity Self-Sufficient Village Using Agrivoltaics. Results of a Survey of German Farmers.
11) Blakesley, J. C., Bonilla, R. S., Freitag, M., Ganose, A. M., Gasparini, N., Kaienburg, P., & Hoye, R. L. (2024). Roadmap on established and emerging photovoltaics for sustainable energy conversion.
12) Blakesley, J. C., Koutsourakis, G., Parsons, D. E., Mica, N. A., Balasubramanyam, S., & Russell, M. G. (2023). Sourcing albedo data for bifacial PV systems in complex landscapes. Solar Energy, 266, 112144.
13) Boateng, E. (2016). The potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of solar PV mini-grid deployment on local communities: A case study of rural island communities on the Volta Lake, Ghana.
14) Creswell, J. W & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach.
15) Dainienė, R., & Dagilienė, L. (2015). A TBL approach based theoretical framework for measuring social innovations. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 213, 275-280.
16) Derin Güre, P., Zırh, B. C., Erdil, E., Topal, Y. E., Yazici, E., İpek, E., & Sari, R. (2025). A systematic review of socio-economic impact assessments of solar energy and photovoltaic (PV) technologies: network dynamics, societal problems and policy implications. Innovation.
17) DeVellis, R. F., & Thorpe, C. T. (2022). Scale development: Theory and applications.
18) Dubey, S., Jadhav, N. Y., & Zakirova, B. (2013). Socio-economic and environmental impacts of silicon based photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
19) George, A., Shen, B., Ndolo, P. O., Siagi, Z. O., Chebet, C., Kemunto, C. M., & Patrobers, S. (2020). The solar energy access in Kenya: a review focusing on Pay-As-You-Go solar home system. Environment, development and sustainability, 22(5), 3897-3938.
20) Gong, X., & Kulkarni, M. (2005). Design optimization of a large-scale rooftop photovoltaic system. Solar Energy, 78(3), 362-374.
21) Harrington, E., & Wambugu, A. W. (2021). Beyond technical standards: Creating an ecosystem for quality and repair in Kenya's off-grid solar sector. Energy Research & Social Science, 77, 102101.
22) Karakaya, E., & Sriwannawit, P. (2015). Barriers to the adoption of photovoltaic systems: The state of the art. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 49, 60-66.
23) Kariuki, B. W., & Sato, T. (2018). Interannual and spatial variability of solar radiation energy potential in Kenya using Meteosat satellite.
24) Keshavadasu, S. R. (2023). Regulatory and policy risks: Analyzing the uncertainties related to changes in government policies, regulations, and incentives affecting solar power project development and operations in Kenya. Energy Policy, 182, 113760.
25) Kimutai, S. K., & Talai, S. M. (2021). Household energy utilization trends in Kenya: effects of peri urbanization. European Journal of Energy Research, 1(2), 7-11.
26) Kiplagat, J. K., Wang, R. Z., & Li, T. X. (2011). Renewable energy in Kenya: Resource potential and status of exploitation. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 15(6), 2960-2973.
27) Kiprop, E., Matsui, K., & Maundu, N. (2019). The role of household consumers in adopting renewable energy technologies in Kenya. Environments, 6(8), 95.
28) Li, H. X., Zhang, Y., Edwards, D., & Hosseini, M. R. (2020, April). Improving the energy production of roof-top solar PV systems through roof design. In Building simulation (Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 475-487).
29) Luthander, R., Widén, J., Nilsson, D., & Palm, J. (2015). Photovoltaic self-consumption in buildings: Applied Energy, 142, 80–94.
30) Mackey, A., & Gass, S. M. (2015). Second language research: Methodology and design. Routledge.
31) Madsen, D. N., & Hansen, J. P. (2019). Outlook of solar energy in Europe based on economic growth characteristics. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 114, 109306.
32) Marzouk, O. A. (2025). Summary of the 2023 report of TCEP (tracking clean energy progress) by the International Energy Agency (IEA), and proposed process for computing a single aggregate rating. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 601, p. 00048).
33) Mbaka, C. K., Gikonyo, J., & Kisaka, O. M. (2019). Households’ energy preference and consumption intensity in Kenya. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 9(1), 20.
34) Mogata, N. J. (2019). Implementing Solar PV Power Plants in Rural Areas to Improve Quality of Lives.
35) Moore, C. (2024). Renewable energy adoption and its effect on rural development in United States. Journal of Developing Country Studies, 8(2), 15-31.
36) Mugambi, J. K. (2021). Status of county adoption of national level policies on climate governance in select counties in Kenya.
37) Nyaga, A. M. (2016). Designing and Building Integrated Photovoltaic Solar Roofing Tiles
38) Nyangaresi, A. N. (2024). Assessing the factors influencing the adoption of off grid renewable energy technologies in Kenya-a case for Kisii County.
39) Odhengo, P., Atela, J., Steele, P., Orindi, V., & Imbali, F. (2019). Climate finance in Kenya: review and future outlook. Climate Finance Policy Brief, 1.
40) Okello, F. L. (2023). Assessing the Barriers to Energy Transition in Africa: The Case of Kenya.
41) Pasqualotto, J., & Muumbo, A. (2025). Integrated Development and Productive Use of Energy for Off-Grid Electrification in Kenya. AJERI, 3(1), 36.
42) Raj, R., & Sharma, S. (2025). Green Energy, Greener Earth: Innovations in Renewable Energy and Ecosystem Conservation. In Green Equilibrium: Deciphering Earth's Ecosystems for Sustainable Tomorrow (pp. 255-279).
43) Rose, A., Stoner, R., & Pérez-Arriaga, I. (2016). Prospects for grid-connected solar PV in Kenya: A systems approach. Applied Energy, 161, 583-590.
44) Smith, B. L., Woodhouse, M., Horowitz, K. A., Silverman, T. J., Zuboy, J., & Margolis, R. M. (2021). Photovoltaic (PV) module technologies: 2020 benchmark costs and technology evolution framework results.
45) Stojanovski, O., Thurber, M. C., Wolak, F. A., Muwowo, G., & Harrison, K. (2021). Assessing opportunities for solar lanterns to improve educational outcomes in off-grid rural areas: results from a randomized controlled trial. The World Bank Economic Review, 35(4), 999-1018.
46) Swalehe, R. W. (2021). Sustainable Operations Management Practices, Firm Characteristics, Performance and Competitive Advantage of Manufacturing Firms in Kenya.
47) Taita Taveta, C. I. D. P. (2018). Taita Taveta County Integrated Development Plan 2018–2022.
48) Traianou, A., & Hammersley, M. (2021). Is there a right not to be researched? Is there a right to do research? Some questions about informed consent and the principle of autonomy. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 24(4), 443-452.
49) Ulsrud, K., & Saini, A. (2022). On-grid and off-grid electrification in Kenya: who are left behind and why? In Off-Grid Solar Electrification in Africa: A Critical Perspective (pp. 243-284).
50) Vasi, I. B., & Grant, D. (2023). Blocking the sun? Social movements, industries, and the adoption of solar energy in the United States. Energy Research & Social Science, 105, 103272
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kevin Omondi Owuor, Rehema Swalehe, James Gacheru (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
