German based energy firm Mobisol has set up shop in Kenya looking to tap the growing demand for solar power solutions.
Mobisol’s Solar System will have the capacity to generate 80 watts of power, targeting those in rural areas and yet to be connected to the national grid. The firm’s entry is expected to step up competition in the market especially with M-Kopa that runs a similar system.
“All Mobisol solar systems can be paid for through convenient payment plans via leading mobile money providers, allowing low-income Kenyans to purchase a high quality solar system at a very affordable and competitive price,” Mobisol CEO Thomas Gottschalk said during the launch.
Mobisol users will pay Ksh 50 a day for a 36-month period, translating to a cost of roughly to Ksh 54,000 for the system. At 80 watts, Mobisol says the system can power radios, mobile phones, TVs and fridges.
The company’s entry comes barely a week after Equity Bank partnered with Indian solar energy firm Orb Energy for the supply of solar power kits. Orb solar’s kit is Ksh 59,990 with customers given the option of making Ksh 725 weekly installments.
M-Kopa has been in the market for since 2012 and has so far connected more than 280,000 homes across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to solar power. The firm recently signed a deal with Safaricom to upgrade its system with the addition of solar powered digital televisions.
Besides Kenya, Mobisol also has operations in Tanzania and Rwanda, where it has installed 40,000 solar systems.
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