[Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma speaking after launching Mobisol store, March 14, 2017. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Mobisol Kenya, has opened its first store, in the Lakeside city.
The Germany-based solar firm's first flagship store was opened by governor Jack Ranguma, Tuesday.
Ranguma said the entry of the new player into Nyanza region’s renewable energy market showed confidence that investors have for Kenya.
"This confidence is resulting in actual jobs for our young men and women who are now employed in the firm as technicians, salesmen and women and service crew,'' he said.
"Kisumu as you know receives in excess of 11 hours of sunlight every day and it is time for our residents who are not connected to the national grid to take advantage of this natural source of clean energy,'' he added.
Having successfully installed more than 72,000 solar home systems in Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya, Mobisol is moving into the business at a larger scale, by 'testing' the Kenyan market.
Mobisol users pay Sh50 a day for a period of 36 month, translating to a cost of about Sh54,000 for the system.
The firm's Chief Executive Officer Thomas Gottschalk said: "All Mobisol solar systems can be paid for, through convenient payment plans via leading mobile money providers.''
He noted this allows low-income Kenyans to purchase a high quality solar system at affordable and competitive price. "At 80 watts, Mobisol system can power radios, mobile phones, TVs and fridges,'' concluded Gottschalk.