I recently interviewed Noah Lukeya, sales manager for LONGi East Africa. Noah was kind enough to provide valuable insights into the solar PV market in Kenya and the broader East Africa region , as well as how LONGi is meeting market requirements across its range of products and services.
Kenya is targeting 100% clean energy by 2030 through policies such as the National Energy Policy 2025–2034 and the Energy (Integrated National Energy Plan) Regulations 2025. From your perspective, how are these developments influencing customer demand and the solar market? What opportunities do they create for LONGi?
Kenya’s energy transition is accelerating under the National Energy Policy 2025–2034 and the Energy (Integrated National Energy Plan) Regulations 2025. Together, these frameworks strengthen long-term energy planning, encourage private investment, and create greater certainty for renewable energy developers, investors and technology providers.
These policy developments are already having a positive impact across the solar value chain.
For investors,the clear Rules around tariffs, licensing, contracts and implementation frame work has given them confidence to commit long term money on renewable energy projects , Currently we are seeing increase in C&I to utility project coming up financed by foreign investors under PPA and PPI models. Additionally, Compare to last 3 years more financial institutions , project developers and individual investor from other countries, are increasingly interested in exploration and investing on renewable energy  evident, with more than 50% increase of new clean energy companies compared to 2023.
For EPC contractors and project developers, the expanding pipeline of renewable energy projects is creating broader business opportunities. As the market continues to mature, customers are placing greater emphasis not only on project execution but also on technology selection, long-term system performance and bankable partners that can support projects throughout their lifecycle.
At the end-user level, both commercial and residential customers are increasingly viewing solar as a long-term strategic investment rather than simply an alternative power source. Rising grid electricity tariffs, combined with the desire for greater energy independence and more reliable electricity supply, are accelerating solar adoption. More businesses are investing in rooftop solar to reduce operating costs, while homeowners are increasingly recognising the long-term economic and sustainability benefits of clean energy.
Above all this, lower Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), high-efficiency and quality products are prioritised and sort after factors. this creates tremendous opportunities for LONGi. Leveraging our industry-leading Back Contact (BC) technology, proven global bankability and extensive experience across utility-scale, C&I and distributed solar projects, we help customers achieve higher energy yield, lower LCOE and long-term system reliability. Beyond high-efficiency modules, LONGi also provides scenario-based solutions and integrated solar-plus-storage offerings for grid-connected, off-grid and hybrid applications. Supported by our local team in Kenya, we work closely with EPCs, distributors and project developers to deliver technical expertise, responsive support and reliable project execution throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Recent regulatory changes are opening transmission and distribution networks to private investment. what changes are you seeing in the development of utility-scale and distributed solar projects? How is LONGi supporting customers under this evolving market environment?
As private participation in transmission, distribution and electricity trading continues to expand, market efficiency is improving and electricity procurement is becoming more competitive and flexible. This is generating clear economic benefits for market participants: developers and investors are able to unlock new revenue streams through diversified project models, while C&I users can better control energy costs and improve long-term operational stability. At the same time, the broader economy benefits from improved energy access, reduced reliance on expensive fossil-based generation, and enhanced energy security, all of which support sustainable industrial growth.
We are seeing increased activity in industrial power projects, private mini-grids, commercial rooftop systems and utility-scale solar farms developed through private financing and a growing demand for faster project execution. Financiers are also increasingly requiring Tier-1 manufacturers with proven stability and reliability such as LONGi, more technical modelling before procurement as investors are seeking long-term returns.
This shift aligns closely with our long-term strategy. Rather than simply supplying modules, we position ourselves as a long-term technology partner, helping customers maximise energy yield, reduce the LCOE and ensure reliable system performance throughout the project lifecycle. Leveraging our industry-leading Back Contact (BC) technology, globally recognised bankability and extensive experience across utility-scale, distributed and commercial & industrial projects, we provide solutions that meet the evolving needs of Kenya’s energy market.
With the expansion of net metering and incentives for rooftop solar, how is demand evolving between residential customers and the commercial & industrial (C&I) sector? Which segment is currently driving the most growth?
Residential solar demand in Kenya remains strong and continues to lead the market. However, with the opening transmission and distribution networks to private investment and increases in tariff on grid, Commercial and Industrial sector is catching up at an exponential pace Commercial rooftop installations are becoming larger, often exceeding several hundred kilowatts. Businesses are consuming far more electricity than households, making the financial returns from solar investments much more attractive.
The economic potential is already being demonstrated across Africa. In Zimbabwe, an 11 MW solar-storage-diesel microgrid for RHA Mining, equipped with LONGi’s high-efficiency modules, officially entered operation this year. The project is expected to reduce diesel consumption and associated carbon emissions by more than 90%, lower electricity costs by approximately 50% compared with conventional diesel generation, and save the customer an estimated RMB 50–60 million in annual fuel costs.
As C&I solar continues to scale, LONGi is well positioned to support this growth with high-efficiency modules, reliable technology and strong lifecycle value, helping businesses achieve greater energy independence while improving the long-term economics of their solar investments.

Kenya’s climate presents challenges such as high temperatures, dust and diverse installation environments. How are LONGi’s latest technologies – including BC modules and scenario-based solutions – helping customers maximise energy yield and long-term reliability? Are integrated solar-plus-storage solutions becoming an increasingly important part of customer discussions?
Dust accumulation and high temperatures is a significant challenge in northern, eastern and some part of coastal region Kenya.
LONGi addresses these challenges through scenario-based product solutions. For example, our Anti-Dust modules are designed to reduce dust accumulation and cleaning frequency, helping customers maintain more stable energy generation while lowering operation and maintenance costs.
At the core of these solutions is LONGi’s Back Contact (BC) technology.BC module is game changer thanks to its high efficiency customers are now able to maximise energy output per area, saving on space, lower balance of system cost and ultimately high returns on the investments.

Learn more about LONGi’s 5A solutions (Anti-Dust, Anti-Shading, Anti-Fake, Anti-Glare and Anti-Fire) HERE
At the same time, solar-plus-storage is becoming an increasingly important part of customer discussions. As solar deployment expands and its share in the power system increases, energy storage becomes more valuable for balancing generation and consumption, improving power reliability and enabling customers to make better use of renewable electricity. This is particularly relevant for C&I, off-grid and hybrid applications in Africa.
LONGi is responding to this trend by extending its capabilities beyond high-efficiency PV through LONGi ONE energy storage system, supporting the growing demand for integrated solar-plus-storage solutions and helping customers achieve more reliable, flexible and cost-effective energy systems.
How does LONGi work with EPCs, distributors and installers in Kenya to ensure reliable product supply, technical support and successful project delivery?
Partnership is central to LONGi’s strategy in Kenya. LONGi work closely with distributors, EPC contractors and installers throughout the project lifecycle from system design, product selection to technical and after-sales support.
For distributors, LONGi provides scenario-based product recommendations according to different end-user needs and application environments, together with delivery coordination, technical and after-sales support to strengthen local market development.
For EPC partners, our support begins well before procurement. LONGi provides pre-sales’ technical consultation and assists with product selection and system design through tools such as PV Master, helping partners optimise solutions for specific project requirements and improve overall system performance.
For Installers, we provide regular technical training, including bi-weekly online sessions and offline hands-on training, covering product knowledge and installation practices.
Behind these partnerships is our local team in Kenya, enabling us to respond quickly to customer and partner needs.
Thank you for your time Noah, we wish you and LONGi all the success in Kenya. 
Author: Bryan Groenendaal







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