Determinants of Adoption of Solar Energy for Home Use in Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Ongeri, Geofry
Mbataru, Patrick
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IAJAH
Abstract
This study aimed at establishing the
determinants of adoption of solar energy for
home use in Nairobi County. The results
from this study have helped to understand
why few households in Nairobi County are
using solar and recommended appropriate
policy interventions in making Nairobi a
sustainable City with clean and affordable
source of energy by utilizing solar energy
available in plenty in Nairobi. The objectives
included establishing the influence of;
awareness on solar energy and alternative
power sources, on adoption of solar energy
for home use. The research was carried out in
the County of Nairobi City across all the 11
sub counties where a sample of 384
households were studied. This sample size of
384 was collected using stratified random
sampling method because the target
population in this study that comprises of
138,976 homeowners in Nairobi County was
already divided into Sub counties. The study
was based on the Social Cognitive Theory on
the idea of self-efficacy and the Technology
Adoption Model (TAM), which has been
extensively used in technology adoption
studies, and the Diffusion of Innovation
(DOI) Theory, which tries to explain how,
over time, an idea or product gains
momentum and diffuses (or spreads) through
a specific population or social system.
Descriptive survey research design was used
where quantitative and qualitative data was
gathered. Various research instruments like
questionnaires and interview were utilized.
The data gathered was analyzed by SPSS
which is a data analysis software. The data is
exhibited through statistical techniques
which include frequency and percentages
distribution tables and graphs. Permission
was sought from relevant authorities starting
with Kenyatta University, NACOSTI,
subcounty commissioners and chiefs.
Confidentiality was guaranteed to all
participants. From the study, the findings
indicate that few residents of Nairobi City
County have adopted solar energy. This can
be attributed to lack of awareness on solar
energy as most respondents indicated that
they had never received any formal or
informal training, not aware of solar
technology providers and had never seen
solar energy in use. The study also concluded
that alternative power source has also
deterred solar adoption as 88.2% of the
respondents are connected to electricity
which is readily available while 87.7% prefer
other sources instead of solar. The study
therefore recommended to the Government
of Kenya and other stakeholders that deal
with solar energy to provide training and
awareness on use of solar, to avail solar
power so that it’s readily available to be
adopted, the government to reduce the cost of
solar installation and formulate policies that
encourage solar adoption.
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Citation
Ongeri, G., Mbataru, P. (2023). Determinants of adoption of solar energy for home use in Nairobi City County, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities, 1(3), 167-183.