Varsity unveils hub to train solar hot water system installation experts

As homes and hotels adopt solar water heating to save on power costs, demand for solar hot water system experts has risen. It is against this backdrop that the Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC) has launched the Solar Thermal Hub of Excellence.

Developed in partnership with SolarisKit, Energy Catalyst, UK Aid and Innovate UK, the centre is set to upscale solar thermal technology adoption across Kenya, Rwanda and the larger sub-Saharan Africa. It will serve as a premier centre for training, research, and innovation in solar hot water systems, addressing the critical need for sustainable heating solutions.

“Africa, situated in the Global Solar Belt, holds untapped potential to lead in sustainable energy solutions,” noted Dr Faisal Ghani, founder of SolarisKit.

“Despite the region’s abundant solar resources, penetration rates for solar thermal technology remain below 0.5 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many households and businesses still rely on biomass sources like wood and charcoal for heating, exacerbating deforestation, carbon emissions, and severe health risks from indoor air pollution,” added Dr Ghani. The high cost of electricity for heating also places a significant financial burden on consumers.

It exerts pressure on national power grids, especially in areas where electricity generation still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Harnessing the potential of solar thermal technology offers a crucial opportunity to lower emissions, improve energy security, and promote sustainable economic growth.

“This vision inspired the invention of SolarisKit, an innovative technology designed to make solar energy simple, accessible, cost-effective and impactful,” said Dr Ghani.

The launch follows the successful rollout of a five-day fundamental course on Solar Hot Water System Installation at Strathmore University, training 49 professionals in two cohorts - 21 participants in November 2024 and 28 in February 2025.

The programme equipped engineers, technicians, and industry leaders from government, academia, and the private sector with hands-on expertise in installing the world’s first flat-packed solar thermal collector, developed with support from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

The initiative seeks to unlock the huge potential of solar thermal energy across Kenya, Rwanda, and Sub-Saharan Africa, paving the way for a cleaner, more energy-secure future.