ABSTRACT
This chapter contributes to filling the lacuna. Based on climate and development knowledge network (CDKN) funded research, it presents a summary of the development of the oft-lauded but little-understood success of the Kenyan off-grid photovoltaic (PV) market. The chapter is focused on the case study of the off-grid solar PV market in Kenya due to its widespread recognition as a huge success. It also focuses on both the market for solar home systems (SHSs) and the emerging market for solar lanterns. Contrary to the idea that the off-grid solar PV market in Kenya is a contemporary, free market phenomenon, the market in fact has roots that stretch back to the 1970s. It is difficult to develop an accurate picture of exactly what applications were using solar PV in the early days, or who was funding their use, but it seems they were mostly focused on telecommunications applications.
