Solar
Solar for Shops, Offices and Small Businesses in Kenya
Short answer
Businesses that work mostly in the daytime, such as shops, offices, salons, clinics and workshops, are good fits for solar because panels produce power when the business uses it. Start with your daytime load and monthly bill, decide whether you need outage backup, and choose grid-tied or hybrid accordingly.
Why daytime businesses benefit
Solar output peaks around midday. A business that uses power at that time can use solar directly, which avoids buying units from the grid and needs few or no batteries.
Steps to plan a business solar system
- Collect 6 to 12 months of electricity bills.
- List equipment: refrigeration, computers, lights, point-of-sale, printers, pumps and machines.
- Decide what must stay on during an outage, such as fridges, tills and Wi-Fi.
- Choose grid-tied (savings only) or hybrid (savings plus backup).
- Get a site survey and a written quote with equipment details.
- Plan any Kenya Power approval if the system can export. See net metering.
Typical business loads
| Business | Common loads | Suggested approach |
|---|---|---|
| Shop or supermarket | Refrigeration, lights, tills | Hybrid, protect fridges |
| Office | Computers, Wi-Fi, lights, air conditioning | Grid-tied or hybrid, daytime use |
| Salon or clinic | Dryers, sterilisers, fridges | Hybrid, protect critical equipment |
| Workshop | Motors, welders | Size for surges; consider generator support |
Working out the benefit
Estimate yearly savings from the units solar will replace, then compare against the system cost. The payback guide shows how.
Common questions
Can solar run my shop fridges?
Yes, with a correctly sized inverter and battery or grid support. Fridge start-up surge must be allowed for.
Do I need batteries for a business?
Not if you only want to cut daytime bills. Add them if you must keep operating during outages or at night.
Can I add more panels later?
Often yes if the inverter and design allow expansion. Mention growth plans to the installer.