Thursday, March 28, 2024

It’s Sh. 1 million fine for failing to instal solar on three bedroom houses

Home owners in Kenya are set to go through a tough period. This follows a decision by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to unleash a Sh. 1 million fine or a one year jail term on property owners who fail to install Solar systems on their buildings.

Under the energy (solar water heating) regulations 2012 seeking to ease pressure on the national grid by encouraging use of renewable sources of energy, premises with hot water requirements of more than 100 litres per day must be fitted with solar heating systems.

The affected include domestic houses with at least three bedrooms, colleges and boarding schools with 20 or more students and hotels, hostels and lodges with at least four beds.

Others are restaurants that serve at least 20 meals a day and laundries that handle more than 20kgs of clothes.

The regulations prohibit Kenya Power from connecting electricity to any of the property owners that fail to install solar panels.

They also impose the Sh. 1 million fine or one year jail term on manufacturers, vendors and contractors who contravene the ERC solar specifications.

Thursday, the regulator accused fraudsters of impersonating its inspectors as the crackdown begins.

“We have received information that fraudsters masquerading as ERC officers are inspecting buildings in relation to these regulations,” the ERC said in a notice. “All ERC officers inspecting facilities have official badges that owners should request to see.”

The ERC becomes the second energy sector agency to cry foul of an invasion by fraudsters.

Last month, Kenya Power issued an alert warning the public of “increasing cases of fraudulent activities by con men who are using fake forms to defraud.”

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