To choose a good solar company in Kenya, check that it is EPRA-licensed, uses KEBS-certified equipment, sizes systems properly based on your actual usage, gives a clear itemised quote, offers genuine workmanship and product warranties, and has verifiable past projects and reviews. Avoid companies that quote without a site assessment, push cheap unbranded gear, or can’t show a licence.
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A solar system is a 20-year investment, and the company that installs it matters as much as the panels on your roof. A good installer sizes the system correctly, uses quality components, and stands behind the work; a poor one leaves you with an undersized system, voided warranties, or a safety hazard. This checklist gives you the questions to ask and the red flags to avoid, so you can choose with confidence – whoever you ultimately hire.
(For what a full service should include, see solar installation services.)
The 10-point checklist
1. Is the company EPRA-licensed?
This is non-negotiable. Solar installation in Kenya is regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which licenses solar PV technicians (graded T1, T2 and T3 by qualification and experience) and solar contractors/vendors. Ask for the licence, and verify it on EPRA’s renewable energy register. An unlicensed installer risks your safety, your warranties and your compliance.
2. Is the equipment KEBS-certified and Tier-1?
EPRA licenses the installer; the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certifies the products. Quality solar modules should meet KEBS standards (such as KS IEC 61215 and KS IEC 61730). Ask which panel, inverter and battery brands they use, and favour established Tier-1 equipment with genuine manufacturer warranties over cheap unbranded gear.
3. Do they size the system from YOUR usage?
A trustworthy company does a site assessment and reviews your KPLC bills before quoting — it never quotes a one-size-fits-all package blind. If a company gives you a price without understanding your consumption, roof and goals, walk away.
4. Is the quote clear and itemised?
You should see what you’re paying for: panels, inverter, battery, mounting, cabling, labour and commissioning — not a single vague figure. An itemised quote lets you compare companies like-for-like and spot what’s been left out.
5. What warranties do they offer?
Two kinds matter: the manufacturer warranties on the equipment (e.g. ~25-year panel performance, multi-year inverter and battery warranties) and the company’s own workmanship warranty on the installation. Get both in writing, and check that the company will still be around to honour them.
6. Can they show verifiable past projects?
Ask for real, recent installations similar to yours — ideally references or case studies you can confirm. Genuine project experience (and the ability to prove it) separates established installers from fly-by-night operators.
7. What do independent reviews say?
Look beyond the company’s own website. Check Google reviews and independent feedback for patterns — especially around after-sales support, which is when many buyers discover whether they chose well.
8. Do they offer after-sales service and maintenance?
Solar needs occasional maintenance, and things occasionally need fixing. Confirm there’s an after-sales and maintenance plan, and that support is reachable and local. A warranty is worthless if no one answers the phone.
9. Are they transparent about savings and payback?
Be wary of guarantees of exact savings or “free electricity.” A credible company gives estimated savings and payback based on your usage and current tariffs, and explains the assumptions. Overpromising is a red flag.
10. Do they handle the full job – design, supply, install, support?
End-to-end accountability from one company means no finger-pointing between a supplier and a separate installer if something goes wrong. It also usually means better-integrated, better-supported systems.
Red flags to walk away from
- No EPRA licence (or can’t show one you can verify).
- A quote with no site assessment — they don’t know your needs.
- Suspiciously low prices built on unbranded equipment with no warranty.
- Guaranteed savings or “your bill will be zero” promises.
- Vague, single-figure quotes with no breakdown.
- No physical address, no references, no reviews.
- Pressure to pay in full upfront before any work or clear contract.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Are you EPRA-licensed, and what is your licence/class?
- What panel, inverter and battery brands will you use, and are they KEBS-certified?
- How did you size my system, and what does it assume about my usage?
- What exactly does the quote include — and exclude?
- What warranties apply, on the equipment and on your workmanship?
- Can I see references or case studies from similar recent jobs?
- What after-sales support and maintenance do you provide?
- What’s the realistic payback estimate for my usage, and what assumptions does it use?
Why the choice matters so much
The difference between a good and a poor installer shows up over years, not days. A correctly sized, properly installed system from a licensed company quietly saves you money for two decades and keeps you powered through outages. A cut-price job from an unlicensed installer can mean an undersized system, premature equipment failure, voided warranties, or – at worst a fire or electrocution risk. The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest system over its life.
Talk to a licensed Kenyan solar team
Kamatye is an EPRA-licensed solar and electrical company serving Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos, and all 47 counties in Kenya with verifiable projects “including the Mageta Island Solar Project” and end-to-end service. If you’d like a proper site assessment and an itemised, no-obligation quote or a second opinion on a quote you’ve received, we’re happy to help.
Request a free assessment & quote → or call 0722 841 601 / 0702 068 376.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a solar company in Kenya is licensed?
Ask for their EPRA licence and verify it on EPRA’s renewable energy register. EPRA licenses solar PV technicians (graded T1, T2, T3) and solar contractors/vendors. A legitimate company will readily provide its licence details.
What should I look for in a solar installer?
EPRA licensing, KEBS-certified Tier-1 equipment, proper system sizing from your actual usage, a clear itemised quote, genuine equipment and workmanship warranties, verifiable past projects and reviews, and real after-sales support.
What are the biggest red flags when choosing a solar company?
No verifiable EPRA licence, a quote given without a site assessment, suspiciously cheap unbranded equipment, guaranteed-savings promises, vague single-figure quotes, no address or references, and pressure to pay fully upfront.
Should I just choose the cheapest quote?
No. The cheapest quote often uses undersized or unbranded equipment, or omits parts of the job, and can cost more over time through poor performance and early failure. Compare itemised quotes like-for-like, and weigh licensing, equipment quality, warranty and support, not just price.
Does the equipment need to be KEBS-certified?
Solar products sold in Kenya should meet KEBS standards (such as KS IEC 61215 and KS IEC 61730 for modules). KEBS certifies product quality, while EPRA licenses the installer, so check both the company’s licence and the equipment’s certification.
Should the same company supply and install my system?
It’s usually better. End-to-end service from one accountable company avoids finger-pointing between a separate supplier and installer and tends to produce better-integrated, better-supported systems.
Related reading
- Solar Installation Services in Kenya – what a full service should include (pillar page).
- Cost of Solar Installation in Kenya (2026 Price Guide)
- Solar ROI & Payback Period in Kenya
- Off-Grid vs Grid-Tie vs Hybrid Solar