You've decided to go solar. You ask around, request three quotes, and get three completely different systems at three completely different prices. Then a friend tells you about a system that stopped working a year after it was installed. Who do you trust?
Solar is a big investment, and not every company is a safe place to put your money. The best solar companies in Kenya have earned trust in their part of the industry. Some make solar affordable for rural homes. Some power whole villages. Some power large factories with no upfront cost.
Here are the names we'd trust with your money, each in its own niche.
A note before we start: this list is written by Claridge Solar, and yes, we're on it. Every company here earned its place on its own record.
At a glance
| Company | Trusted for |
|---|---|
| Sun King | Low-cost solar for rural homes, paid daily |
| Claridge Solar | Custom solar for homes and businesses |
| PowerGen | Mini-grids for whole communities |
| Davis & Shirtliff | Solar water pumping and buying equipment |
| SunCulture | Solar irrigation for small-scale farmers |
| OFGEN | Solar for large organisations, with no upfront cost |
1. Sun King: affordable solar for rural homes
Best for: families and small shops in areas with no grid or a weak one.
Sun King, formerly Greenlight Planet, has made solar possible for millions of households that could never pay for a full system at once. Their products range from solar lanterns to small home kits that run lights, phone charging and a TV. With pay-as-you-go, you pay in small daily amounts instead of one large payment.
2. Claridge Solar: custom solar for homes and businesses
Best for: homeowners and institutions such as private hospitals, schools, hotels and offices that want a system designed around their needs.
We don't sell packages. Every Claridge system starts with one question: what do you want solar to do for you? We study how you use power, then design, supply and install the system that achieves it. Every system uses quality components, is installed by an EPRA-licensed team, and comes with remote monitoring.
If you want solar done right the first time, get an estimate in minutes or WhatsApp us.
3. PowerGen: mini-grids for rural communities
Best for: rural electrification, community and NGO energy projects.
PowerGen builds and runs solar mini-grids that bring electricity to remote communities, many of which relied on expensive diesel before.
4. Davis & Shirtliff: water pumping and equipment
Best for: farmers who need solar water pumping, and buyers who want to purchase equipment themselves.
Davis & Shirtliff has been in business since 1946 and is one of East Africa's largest water and energy equipment distributors, with branches across Kenya.
5. SunCulture: solar irrigation for small-scale farmers
Best for: smallholder farmers growing high-value fruit and vegetables.
SunCulture is a Kenyan agri-tech company whose solar pumps and drip irrigation replace diesel and manual pumping.
6. OFGEN: solar for large organisations, with no upfront cost
Best for: large companies, hotels, universities and manufacturers.
OFGEN pioneered the power purchase agreement (PPA) model in Kenya. They pay for, install and run the solar plant on your site, and you simply pay for the power it produces at an agreed rate.
How to tell if a solar company in Kenya is trustworthy
Trust shows in the details. Before you sign anything, ask:
- Did they ask about your power use before recommending a system?
- Can they explain why they chose that system size?
- Are their installers EPRA-licensed?
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best solar company in Kenya?
The one you can trust with your kind of project. Look for a track record in what you need, licensed installers, and a clear explanation of why your system is designed the way it is.
How do I know if a solar installer is licensed in Kenya?
Ask for their EPRA licence number and check it on the EPRA website.
How much does solar cost in Kenya?
It depends on your power use and what you want the system to do. Get a free estimate in minutes.