Strathmore University 600kW solar PV project won the Private Sector award in the KAM Renewable Energy Project Awards 2015 during the Kenya Clean Energy Conference held at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. The conference is the premier renewable energy development event in East Africa, and was hosted by Kenya’s leading Business Member Organization, The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). The three-day conference took an in-depth look at emerging technologies, policy, financing mechanisms, and existing energy infrastructure to provide the audience with the tools needed to accelerate renewable energy and energy efficiency development in Kenya.

 

Strathmore University DVC Academic Affairs and Director Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC) Prof. Izael Da Silva, conducted a presentation of the 600kW Solar PV project installed at the rooftop of the University at the conference. The presentation titled Reducing carbon emissions in a third level educational institution in sub-Saharan Africa left participants enthralled by such an initiative.

 

The conference events kicked off with the launch of the Solar SMA (System, Mess and Anlagentechnik) training academy that will be held at Strathmore. SMA is one of the world’s best solar PV inverter manufactures. The academy will provide trainings on how to design, operate and maintain Solar/Diesel Hybrid Systems using the latest technologies such as the fuel saver for the grid tied and off-grid.

 

The Solar PV project, which is now a year old, has provided the university with; a sizeable reduction of operational costs; reduction of carbon emissions; creation and approval of a Sustainability Policy for the institution; creating awareness amongst students, staff and parents on the goodness and effectiveness of renewable energy; and finally will serve SERC as a suitable tool to do research and hands-on training for engineers and technicians.