Solar, our low-hanging fruit in drive on climate

Kenya, and indeed Africa, could attain energy, water and food security by literally turning to the Sun.

Solar, a clean, renewable energy source, is our low-hanging fruit in a changing climate.

Applicable in a wide range of uses, solar is highly flexible, from lighting and powering appliances to pumping drinking and irrigation water, drying agricultural produce, cooling and refrigeration, among other benefits.

Climate change and air pollution are increasingly fanning extreme weather conditions like severe droughts, thereby squeezing the supply of natural resources and putting the health of households at risk.

The good news is that solar could offer a way out, among other clean and green sources.

Solar irrigation could quickly take Africa to self-dependency.

Studies indicate that solar-powered irrigation could quadruple farm output and raise farmers' income by up to six times, opening up new avenues for jobs. Solar dryers, alongside solar-powered cold chains, could equally reduce post-harvest losses.

Diesel pumps, characterised by smoke and a constant roar, have long been popular with farmers in Kenya and beyond. This is largely because these units were relatively cheaper compared to solar water pumps, which have over time proven to be significantly cost-effective due to their lower maintenance costs and enjoy a longer lifetime duration, besides being eco-friendly.

Most homes grappling with poor water access are found off the grid. And in such areas with diesel water pumps, water costs much higher, mostly due to constant refueling and maintenance cost.

Encouragingly, industry trends point towards solar costs edging downwards, a potential boon for farmers and consumers alike. Again, a series of investors are rolling out pay-as-you-go model for solar pumps, solar lamps and batteries, removing the burden for farmers and households of making a lump-sum payment upfront.

To further boost uptake and accelerate the march towards food and energy security, especially among smallholders and rural homes that are at the forefront of the effects of climate change, the government should take more steps to incentivise the sector. Tax incentives is a good starting point.

Estimates indicate that solar water pumps could boost productive use of unused arable land by 65 percent in Africa, contributing to food security, climate resilience and poverty reduction.

For example, an investment of $100 million into solar irrigation would yield over $3.3 billion in output over a period of five years.

Since much of the water used in Kenya is surface water, it's estimated by tapping underground water, through pumps, up to 447,000 hectares could be put under irrigation, a jump from the current 20,000 hectares.

Solar technologies, if fully harnessed, will result in efficient operations, ensuring universal provision of energy, food and water, and climate-proofing these critical resources from nature-related shocks.

The writer is Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA) CEO