With the demand for solar energy rapidly increasing, Uganda-based solar energy company SolarNow has now set its eyes for the Kenyan market. The company is set to open its first Kenyan branch on June 20th in Kisumu.
According to the Douglas Dullo, the Kenyan Sales Manager at SolarNow the move to enter the Kenyan company is interesting to the company. “Many Kenyans are already used to solar lights, but only very few companies can deliver full systems,” he said adding that they were convinced SolarNow’s payment plan will be successful in Kenya.
In just five years, the company supplied solar energy to 20,000 households, schools and companies. SolarNow created 420 jobs in Uganda since 2011 and is says it is determined to replicate its success in Kenya.
Just as in Uganda, a large part of the Kenyan population is in dire need of real power for their houses and businesses, beyond small solar kits.
The majority of SolarNow’s customers are using the payment scheme, in which they pay for in 24 monthly installments. “By offering the payment plan we guarantee that our customers receive the highest quality,” said Willem Nolens, CEO of SolarNow. “Everybody understands that if we distribute a system after having received only a small part of the payment, we are very confident that the product will last for many years. This approach leads to happy customers, many of whom have come back to us to purchase an extension for their system.”
SolarNow’s range of solar products starts with a system of 50 watts. It can be used to power six light bulbs and a radio, and can also charge mobile phones. Most popular is the 100-watt system, that can also power a television. The largest system we can deliver supplies 5.000 watt, which is enough to power an entire school, including computers and printers.
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