EPRA Now Requires Licences for All Solar Contractors and Technicians in Kenya

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has issued fresh licensing guidelines covering technicians, contractors, vendors, manufacturers, and importers operating in Kenya's solar sector.

According to a notice released on Monday, June 22, all applicants in this space must apply for licences through EPRA's online licensing portal before offering services, with applications requiring all supporting documents specified on the regulator's website.

Individual solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians involved in installing, maintaining, testing, and repairing solar power systems must apply for one of three licence classes, depending on their qualifications and scope of work. Approvals for this category are expected within 60 days.

Fees vary by tier. T1 applicants pay a Ksh250 application fee, a Ksh1,000 grant fee, and a Ksh500 annual renewal fee. T2 applicants pay Ksh500 for application, Ksh2,000 for the grant, and Ksh750 annually. T3 applicants pay Ksh750, Ksh3,000, and Ksh1,000 respectively.

A separate set of requirements applies to solar PV contractors, vendors, and manufacturers involved in designing, installing, selling, or producing solar equipment, with EPRA targeting a 30-day approval window for this group.

Companies seeking contractor licences fall under Class C1, paying a Ksh500 application fee, a Ksh1,000 grant fee, and a Ksh1,000 annual renewal charge. Vendors and manufacturers are split into V1 and V2 categories. V1 applicants pay Ksh1,000 for application, Ksh2,500 for the grant, and Ksh1,000 annually, while V2 applicants pay Ksh2,000, Ksh5,000, and Ksh2,000 respectively.

The notice also extends to solar water heating professionals. Technicians involved in installing, servicing, and maintaining solar water heating systems must apply under either the SHW1 or SHW2 category, with processing expected to take up to 60 days. SHW1 applicants pay Ksh500 for application, Ksh1,000 for the grant, and Ksh1,000 annually, while SHW2 applicants pay Ksh750, Ksh1,500, and Ksh1,500.

Contractors, vendors, manufacturers, and importers in the solar water heating sector are placed under three further categories, SHC1, SHC2, and SHM, with a 30-day approval window. SHC1 applicants pay a Ksh2,000 application fee, Ksh1,500 grant fee, and Ksh1,500 annual renewal charge. SHC2 and SHM applicants each pay Ksh3,000 for application, Ksh2,000 for the grant, and Ksh2,000 annually.

The notice forms part of a broader push by EPRA in recent weeks to raise compliance awareness across the renewable energy sector and ensure operators meet regulatory requirements before continuing to offer their services.