The Effects of Pico Solar Energy on the Socio-economic Welfare of Rural Households in Bonchari Sub-county,kisii County,kenya

Abstract

This study was done in Boncahri sub-county of Kisii County. The general objective of the study was to explore the social-economic effects of pico solar energy on the households in that sub county. The specific objectives were: to determine the effects of pico solar energy on men and women Sub-County, Kisii county; to determine the barriers to the realization of socio economic effects of pico solar energy; and to investigate the extent to which the level of income of households influences the adoption of solar energy for domestic use in that Sub-County. A sample size of 100 households was used in this study, and data were collected using structured interviews, key informants interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicate that the majority of the respondents agreed that the level of income affects the ability of a person to purchase Pico solar products. The respondents felt that the adoption of pico solar energy has had a positive income on their lives. It further found that insufficient and inappropriate management is one of the main barriers in the adoption of pico solar systems. The study concludes that solar energy results in great benefits such as improvements of health facilities, better health from cleaner air as households reduce the use of polluting fuels for cooking, lighting and heating, improved knowledge through increased access to television and better nutrition from improved knowledge. It also concludes that cost is a factor that has impacted on the installation and use of solar in Bonchari Sub County. The study, therefore, recommends that when a pico system is used to supply electricity to rural areas in low-income economies, different business strategies should be implemented compared with the high-income economies where it is often used as an alternative power supply