Environmental Impacts of Household Solar Energy Use Adoption in Murang’a County, Kenya

Abstract

Although Kenya enjoys an abundant of sunshine throughout the year, most households in counties like Murang’a still use non-renewable sources of energy for their energy needs. Globally, households account for approximately 40% of energy consumption per annum with most needs being heating, air conditioning, cooling and lighting. Environmental management is now a global goal with over 197 nations endorsing a framework that promotes positive environmental impact through renewable energy and reduced C02 emissions during COP21 in Paris. This research mainly focused on positive environmental impacts of solar energy use adoption within households in Murang’a County, Kenya. Guided by the transition theory, the research applied anticipated transitions to discuss different aspects of solar energy use adoption in the county and the impact they have on the environment. This qualitative and quantitative study sought to explore perspectives of various households on solar energy use and how the adoption has positively impacted the environment. The data used for the study was collected from 384 randomly selected households in four constituencies in Murang’a County. The findings of the study established low adoption rates of households’ solar energy use and a direct correlation of adoption levels with the awareness levels for most of the study population. Moreover, the study confirmed the hypothesis that solar energy use adoption in households positively influenced environment through management strategies and improved livelihoods. Furthermore, policy measures to support training as well as financial support would go a long way in increasing uptake of solar energy use in households in Murang’a County thus positively influencing the environment through management strategies such as renewable energy use