Machakos University through the Centre for Renewable Energy embraces best practices in the production and utilization of renewable energy resources to meetits energy demand and the surrounding communities. As a result, the University has commenced the process of investing in a 600 kW Solar plant (phase 1) to meet its energy demand. The projected Solar PV project plant capacity is 2 MW in partnership with international financiers.

Suggested Solar PV module mounting points and target rooftops

The suggested mounting slope for Solar PV mounting slope at MksU is 15⁰ with an azimuth of 180⁰ (panels facing North direction) as shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 1. Mounting slope points and azimuth angle for MksU target rooftops

Monthly Solar Performance of the Grid-connected Solar PV

The monthly energy output and irradiance for MksU for 1 kW installed solar PV at a slope of 15⁰ with an azimuth of 180⁰ facing south) is as shown in Figure 2.

 Fig. 2: Solar resource potential for MksU and its environs (Wekesa et al., 2018)

Fig. 3: Machakos University monthly energy production (Wekesa et al., 2018)

Fig. 4: Machakos University annual energy production (Wekesa et al., 2018)

Potential investors (both local and international) are encouraged to contact the Centre Director through the contacts:

Centre for Renewable energy, Machakos University,

Tel +254 725037264/+254 716464683,

email: director.cren@mksu.ac.ke/cren@mksu.ac.ke,

website: https://dvc-ril.mksu.ac.ke/