Solar installation cost in Kenya, on top of the equipment, is typically somewhere around KES 10,000 to 50,000 for labour on a home system, plus mounting, cabling and safety parts that can add a similar amount again. Roof type, distance from the roof to the inverter and travel outside town push the figure up, so only a site survey gives a real number.
Updated 30 October 2026.
This guide covers the installation side. For the equipment itself, see solar panel prices per watt and what 1kW, 3kW and 5kVA systems cost.
Kit vs installed system
A “full kit” usually means panels, an inverter (or charge controller), batteries and some cables in a box. It rarely includes everything needed to install it safely.
An installed system adds: – Labour: quoted per job or per panel; hybrid systems with lithium batteries sit at the high end. – Mounting rails and roof fixings: aluminium rails, clamps and sealed roof hooks or brackets. – DC and AC cabling: solar cable, conduit and trunking, priced by the metre. A long run from roof to inverter adds real cost. – Protection: DC isolator, breakers, fuses, surge protection and an earthing rod. – Changeover or wiring work to connect the system to your house circuits. – Roof work: reinforcing old timber, extra sheets, or a ground-mounted frame if the roof is unsuitable. – Transport for jobs outside the installer’s town.
What the quote should include
Ask for a written, itemised quote that lists:
- Each item’s brand, model and quantity (panels, inverter, batteries).
- Mounting, cabling and protection as separate lines, not “accessories”.
- Labour and transport.
- Commissioning and a handover: a test run, settings explained and a simple wiring diagram.
- Warranties: on equipment (from the maker) and on workmanship (from the installer).
- After-sales support contact.
Get two or three quotes for the same equipment list so you compare labour fairly. A much cheaper quote often skips earthing, surge protection or proper roof sealing.
Choosing an EPRA-licensed installer
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) licenses solar technicians in classes (T1, T2 and T3, from small DC systems up to grid-connected and hybrid systems) and licenses solar contractors.
- Ask for the technician’s EPRA licence and check that its class matches your system size.
- Confirm it is current with EPRA; licences are renewed yearly.
- Anything with an inverter, multiple batteries or a grid connection should go to a properly licensed technician, not a casual fundi.
- Feeding power to KPLC needs Kenya Power’s approval first.
Small home kits for lights and phones
Small all-in-one kits (one panel, a battery box, a few lights and USB charging) need no professional installation: you fix the panel facing the sun, run the cable through a window frame or eave, and plug in. Many are sold on pay-as-you-go plans through M-Pesa. To check what a small panel can actually run, see what a 100W, 300W or 500W panel powers.
Quick answers
Labour for a home system is typically around KES 10,000–50,000, with mounting, cabling and protection adding a similar amount. Big hybrid systems, difficult roofs and remote sites cost more; get an itemised quote after a site visit.
Usually panels, an inverter or charge controller, batteries and basic cables. Mounting hardware, protection devices and labour are often extra, so check the list.
For anything beyond a small plug-in kit, yes. EPRA requires solar technicians to hold a licence in the right class, so ask to see it before work starts.
