FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILIZATION OF SOLAR ENERGY IN KENYA INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF TEA PROCESSING FACTORIES IN MERU COUNTY
Peter Ndegwa Mburugu - Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Naomi Gikonyo - School of Open and Distance Learning, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
One of the major challenges facing the Tea sector in Kenya is the high cost of energy. To address this challenge, a study was conducted in order to determine the energy consumption in five factories in Meru County, Kenya, in order to determine factors influencing implementation of solar energy use as an alternative source of energy. Energy consumption data for five years as collected and analyzed. Plant survey was carried out in order to establish energy requirements for a tea processing factory. The researcher established the extent to which government promotional policies influence implementation of solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County, determined how use of solar energy awareness influence implementation of solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County, determine how Sociotechnical factors influence implementation of solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County, determine how Economic fluctuations influence implementation of solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County and determine how environmental stewardship influence implementation of solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County as the main objectives. The study adopted the descriptive survey design with stratified random sampling and sample size drawn from five tea processing factories. Each factory had 28 respondents making a total of 140 respondents in all the five factories. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires that were self-administered survey. Responses to the questions were anchored on a 5-point Likert scale and close ended questions. Data from the structured questionnaires were entered in a computer and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 2015. The study determined the sectional electrical energy demands for withering, processing, drying, grading and others respectively. The researcher identified factors which affected energy indicators and consumption. The study was used to show opportunities for energy cost reduction through energy conservation and renewable energy utilization as a viable alternative source of energy for tea factories. The study found that government requirement for rooftop solar heating installation for commercial establishments and that laws enacted greatly influence solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County. The study found that knowledge of technology benefits influences solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County to a great extent. The study also found that availability of technical services and knowledge on solar energy influence solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County greatly. The study found further that technology influences solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County to a great extent. The study found that environmental stewardship factors influences solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County to a great extent. The study concluded that government policies had the greatest effect on the solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County, followed by sociotechnical factors, then environmental stewardship, then economic fluctuations while solar energy awareness had the least effect to the solar energy utilization in tea processing factories in Meru County. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya and especially the Ministry of Energy need to provide training and education to increase the level of knowledge and awareness on the use of solar energy. The study also recommends that the Meru County government should provide incentives such as tax waivers and import duty waivers to encourage tea industries to engage in installation and implementation of solar energy technologies hence catering for the industry needs.