THE AFRICAN BUSINESS FORTUNE MAGAZINE ISSUE #006 The African Business Fortune Magazine | Page 22

THE AFRICAN BUSINESS FORTUNE - ENERGY

Consumers to benefit from Mobisol solar products

A Mobisol employee presents the solar home system to potential clients at a market in Tanzania.

By Zack Owuor

T

he entry of Mobisol in Kenya with
solar products served an eye opener
for most consumers, especially rural
dwellers.
It revealed that solar can equally generate
electricity similar to other energy sources
with additional benefits such as guaranteed
no pollution, no fuel costs and no risks of
fuel price spikes besides being cleaner, reliable and affordable.
Mobisol’s chief executive officer, Thomas
Gottschalk, said the solar panel system introduced in the local market is the only
credible substitute to grid electrification –
which is expensive and unreliable.
“With solar energy your total energy bill
can drastically be reduced by using a solar
lamp for lighting or a water heater, which is
solar powered,” Gottschalk said.
According to him, solar power systems can alternatively be installed in your

home or office to cater for all the energy
needs.
Indeed, ever since Mobisol launched
its first solar energy product in Kenya,
the uptake has been on the rise and those
who live in rural areas say the technology is good and can use the system to
do a variety of things including lighting
purposes.
A month after the launch, Solarcentury
– a solar company has announced plans
to undertake the installation of three
plants at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).
The company intends to build a $2.5
million (Sh250 million) project – which
is the largest solar investment in the
country and is expected to generate
1154kWp.
Gottschalk said while solar solutions
are gaining in popularity among the
low-income individuals, the local market
does not really carry large solar solu-

22 THE AFRICAN BUSINESS FORTUNE MAY - JUNE 2016

tions, strong enough to power large TVs,
music stereo systems or even fridges.
“The solar panels are designed to handle small and large electricity requirements. It can be used to heat even pools.
They can be connected to an electric distribution system or even stand-alone to
help you power different appliances in
the home,” he said.
Kenya has a number of firms which
sell solar panels but one the product has
been bought, the company that sells it is
not bothered to do a follow up whether
it’s working or not working. However,
that is where Mobisol Solar Systems
comes handy.
The firms’ CEO admits that in three
months’ time, Mobisol’s solar products
will be in every part of the country. He
says those who cannot buy the product
in cash can be installed the gadget once
they have down payment.
“The remaining amount can be paid