Factors influencing access to renewable energy by rural families. A case of solar lanterns project in Isiolo County,Kenya
Abstract
In developing countries, lighting is generally thought to rank among the top three uses of
energy. Adaption of renewable energy sources is typically not placed in the context of a
specific fuel choice. Solar Technology would provide the solution to the evident energy gap
but this tends to be negligible in most developing countries. There has been a lot of criticism,
from various quarters, on the way the Isiolo County solar lanterns project are managed. The
purpose of the study was to establish the factors influencing access to solar lanterns project
by rural families in Isiolo County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives;
to establish the influence of community involvement, alternative sources of energy,
availability of information and family income level on access to solar lanterns project by rural
families in Isiolo County, Kenya. The study was grounded on resource dependence theory
and public participation theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target
population for this study composed the community leaders, county government officials and
the rural residents in Isiolo County. A sample population of 145 was selected from the target
population of 234 with a 95% confidence level and an error of 0.05. The study selected the
respondents using stratified random sampling technique. Primary data was obtained using
self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire was made up of both open ended and
closed ended questions. The drop and pick method was preferred for questionnaire
administration so as to give respondents enough time to give well thought out responses.
After data cleaning, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and
standard deviation was estimated for all the quantitative variables and information presented
inform of tables. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analyzed using
conceptual content analysis and presented in prose. Inferential data analysis was done using
multiple regression analysis. The study found that community participation had a greater
influence on access to solar lanterns project. It was found out that communication
satisfaction, involvement in projects management and public dialogue influence access to
solar lanterns project in a great extent. The study findings showed that knowledge on solar
energy, experience and information sharing influence access to solar lanterns project in a
great extent. It was further indicated that leadership style, strategic agility and commitment
influence access to solar lanterns project in a moderate extent. It was also found that formal
education, accessibility to information, training and capacity building was found to influence
access to solar lanterns project greatly. It was also revealed that that proximity grid
electricity, affordability and availability of alternative energy sources influence access to
solar lanterns project greatly. The study findings found that there is a great influence of
family income level on access to solar lanterns project. The results indicated that household
expenses influence access to solar lanterns project in a great extent. The study recommended
that Government of Kenya and especially the Ministry of Energy should provide training and
education to increase the availability of information and awareness on the use of solar energy.
The study recommends Government should consider zero rating tax on Solar equipment so as
to influence lower pricing thus making it more affordable for purchase and installation of
solar system. The study recommends that there should be timely release of funds as a way to
ensure completion of projects within the stipulated time. Finally, the study concluded that
community participation had the greatest influence on access to solar lanterns project
followed by alternative sources of energy in Isiolo County, Kenya, followed by availability of
information then family income level had the least influence on access to solar lanterns
project.
Citation
Degree of Master of Arts in Project Planning and ManagementPublisher
University of Nairobi
Subject
Renewable energyCollections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]