Energy Efficiency Through Zero Energy House Construction Using Solar Technology in Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

A zero energy house is typically a house with net zero energy consumption on a yearly basis, which means that the annual energy consumption is equal to the amount of renewable energy produced on site. Bungoma County, Kenya has an average sunshine of about 9 hours in a day. The purpose of the study was to compare the consumption of power in a three bedroomed house within Bungoma County, Kenya when using grid power from Kenya Power and Lighting Company and solar energy in a zero-energy house. The power bills for 3 years were analyzed to determine the power consumption and the total cost. The consumption for the 3 years was 4,294 kWh at a total cost of Ksh. 106,090. For 20 years, the total cost of grid power will be Ksh. 707,267. The total cost of solar energy power in a similar three bedroomed zero energy house was calculated to be Ksh. 138,430 for a period of 20 years. Therefore, the cost of using solar energy was found to be about 20% of the grid power in Bungoma County, Kenya. The solar energy power is also environmentally friendly and ensures constant supply of power.