example, if a user was using a system designed to provide two hours of light yet
wanted to run a radio and TV when fully charged, for a longer period, he or she was
advised to switch off apy loads that were not in use.
Financial status of the group
The 100 beneficiary families targeted by the project were able to raise the required
amount of between Ksh.12,500 and Ksh.22,500 within a period of six months. Half
of the members who participated were farmers, 20% operated small businesses and
30% were employed wage-earners.
Fifty percent of the
cost of the solar kits
was paid directly to
the solar supplier by
UNDP’s GEF/SGP as
a grant to the project.
The project noted that over 50% of the farming families
did not depend on their regular income and savings to
purchase the solar systems. They obtained the financial
boost from employed relatives, borrowed from friends or
sold some assets and produce.
Fifty percent of the cost of the solar kits was paid directly to the solar supplier by
UNDP's GEF /SGP as a grant to the project. The groups raised the other 50%, which
they deposited in the group's bank account, while others paid their contribution to
SCODE, who then paid the solar supplier.
Procurement of equipment
After the groups and SCODE decided on the number and sizes of solar systems
required, each group agreed on:
• how much the members would contribute each month (or the interval agreed)
• how much would be used from the group account to purchase the solar kits
• when the group would pay the supplier and who would take charge of this.
They also agreed that SCODE would be responsible for acquiring the solar kits from
the supplier, storage and delivery of the same to individual member's home. SCODE
also took on the responsibility of inspecting the delivered goods to ensure they were
acceptable.
Installation of the solar electric system
To ensure the project had competent technicians, SCODE requested the groups to
identify two technicians who had installed grid electricity and solar systems locally so
that they could be trained. The technicians participated in project implementation
and later assisted the groups in undertaking simple repairs at a fee.
Training enabled
users to fully
understand their
systems, operate
them with
confidence.
Training of users
Training enabled users to fully understand their systems,
operate them with confidence and carry out routine
maintenance practices. Out of this understanding, the users
developed their own user-friendly management practices that
helped add value to their systems.