6 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Solar Backup System in Kenya

Solar backup systems have become common enough in Kenya that almost every electrical supplier now claims to sell and install them. The gap between a system that works reliably for 10+ years and one that disappoints within 18 months usually comes down to whether these six questions were asked and answered honestly before installation.

1. Has Anyone Actually Assessed My Loads?

If a supplier quotes you a system size before asking what appliances you want on backup and for how long, they're guessing. A proper sizing conversation covers your lighting, electronics, fridge, and any heavier appliances, plus realistic outage duration for your area, before a kVA or kWh figure gets attached to a quote.

2. What Battery Chemistry Am I Getting, and Why?

Lithium (LiFePO4), gel, and tubular lead-acid batteries all show up in Kenyan solar quotes, often without the buyer understanding the tradeoffs. Lithium costs more upfront but lasts 3,000 to 6,000+ cycles against gel's 500 to 1,000. If a quote doesn't specify the chemistry, ask directly, and ask what cycle life and warranty come with it.

3. Is the Inverter Hybrid or Pure Off-Grid?

Most Kenyan homes want a hybrid inverter, one that stays connected to the grid and switches to solar and battery automatically, falling back to grid power only when needed. A pure off-grid inverter is a different (and usually more expensive) proposition that assumes no grid connection at all. Confirm which one you're actually being quoted.

4. What's Actually Included in the Price?

A quote that only lists "panels + inverter + battery" is incomplete. A proper installation includes mounting structure, PV and electrical cabling, DC/AC protection devices (fuses, breakers, surge protection), and professional installation and commissioning. Missing protection devices in particular is a common corner cut that shows up as equipment damage during a lightning event or voltage spike.

5. Who Handles It If Something Fails in Year 3?

Ask specifically what warranty covers the inverter, the battery, and the installation labour, and whether the company doing the install will still be around and reachable in three years. A cheap quote from a supplier who disappears after installation is not actually cheap once you account for the risk.

6. Can I See a Real Installation, Not Just a Brochure?

Photos and references from actual completed installations, ideally ones you can ask about directly, tell you far more than a spec sheet. A supplier confident in their work will have no issue showing you real sites.

Our completed solar project gallery includes real backup system installations across Nairobi and beyond, from 3kW residential setups to 6kW+ systems, with the actual equipment and site photos, not stock imagery.

The Bottom Line

None of these six questions are complicated, and any installer who has done this properly before will answer them without hesitation. Hesitation, vague answers, or pressure to sign quickly are the clearest signals that a quote hasn't been thought through.