The Kenyan photovoltaic industry provides a low-cost model for sustainable, private sector based off-grid rural electrification.
Source: UNEP, 2008, Green Jobs: Towards decent work in a sustainable, low-carbon world

The Kibera Community Youth Program (KCYP) initiated a simple solar photovoltaic (PV) assembly project in Kibera, Nairobi, one of the largest slums in sub-Saharan Africa. The project provides young people with employment opportunities in assembling small and affordable solar panels. The panels power radios and charge mobile phones in Kibera, but use of the solar panels made there has also spread to all parts of Kenya. In neighboring countries, numerous groups have requested training to undertake similar projects. KCYP won a World Clean Energy Award in 2007 for its pioneering work. Kenya has about 10 major solar PV import companies, and an estimated 1,000-2,000 solar (non-specialist) technicians. Since the mid-1980s, more than 200,000 systems have been sold in Kenya. Private households account for three-quarters of all solar equipment sales in the country.