Solar TVs and appliances in Kenya

What it costs

What a solar TV costs in Kenya

A "solar TV" is a TV that runs on 12V DC from a solar battery, so it needs no inverter. Many also run on mains power (AC/DC TVs).

TV only, cash. AC/DC TVs typically sell for about KSh 4,900 for 22 inches, KSh 6,000 for 24 inches and KSh 11,500 for 32 inches. You still need a panel and battery to run them.

Brand solar TVs. d.light's 32-inch V320S-P solar TV costs about KSh 31,000. Ask sellers for the current price of the 24-inch d.light TV.

TV and solar kit together. Sun King sells TVs bundled with its HomePlus Max kit (4 lights, an 80W panel and a 192Wh lithium battery). Sun King's published plans:

• 24-inch TV package: KSh 39,000 upfront, or KSh 7,000 down and KSh 85 a day for 728 days.
• 32-inch TV package: KSh 46,000 upfront, or KSh 8,000 down and KSh 100 a day for 728 days.
• 43-inch TV package: KSh 62,000 upfront, or KSh 10,000 down and KSh 135 a day for 728 days.

Lipa mdogo mdogo: what a solar TV costs in total

Daily payments make a TV affordable today, but add up. In total, the Sun King packages above come to about:

• 24-inch: about KSh 68,900, against KSh 39,000 upfront.
• 32-inch: about KSh 80,800, against KSh 46,000 upfront.
• 43-inch: about KSh 108,300, against KSh 62,000 upfront.

That is roughly 75% more than the cash price, spread over two years. If you can save for a few months and pay cash, you keep the difference. See pay-as-you-go solar for how these plans work.

StarTimes solar kits. StarTimes solar kit prices change, so ask sellers for today's price and the total on any instalment plan.

Solar powered air conditioners, fans and air coolers

• Solar fans. A DC fan draws little power and runs well on a lighting kit or a small system. Many brand kits offer one as an add-on. An ordinary AC standing fan also runs fine on a small inverter.
• Solar air coolers. Evaporative coolers blow air over wet pads. They use far less power than an air conditioner and work best in dry heat, less well in humid coastal air.
• Solar air conditioners. A typical room AC draws around 1kW or more while its compressor runs, for hours at a time. Running one on solar needs a multi-kVA system with a large battery if you want it after sunset. Inverter-type ACs use less power than older fixed-speed units. "DC solar AC" units exist but are still a large load.

If you want an AC on solar, say so at the start: it changes the size of the whole system. A good installer will size it from the AC's rating and the hours you run it.

Solar radios, iron boxes and laptop chargers

Radios. Many solar lanterns now include a radio. The Sun King Boom (lantern, FM radio, Bluetooth and phone charging) is about KSh 4,800 upfront, and d.light's T100R 3-in-1 lantern with radio costs about KSh 5,500. Sun King also sells its HomePlus Max kit with a portable radio for about KSh 21,750 upfront.

Iron boxes. A solar iron box in Kenya is usually an ordinary electric iron run from a solar system. Irons draw roughly 1,000–2,000W, so you need an inverter rated well above that and a battery that can take the load. Iron in the middle of a sunny day, when the panels help carry it. Small kits and most power stations cannot run an iron at all.

Laptop chargers. A laptop needs around 45–65W while charging. A home system with an inverter handles it easily. Some larger kits have a USB-C port that can do it: Sun King lists a 65W USB-C port on its HomePlus Max. See solar generators for portable options.

Plan your appliances before you buy

List what you want to run and for how long each day: lights, TV, decoder, fan, radio, laptop, fridge, iron. Small DC loads fit a lighting kit. Add a fridge and you need a proper system, see solar fridges. Add an iron box or AC and the system grows again.

Our solar calculator gives a first estimate. For a firm figure, send your list to installers and compare 3 quotes for a home solar system.