Solar firm picks Nairobi as regional hub in African expansion drive

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Solar energy firm, Solaire Africa, has opened a regional headquarters in Nairobi to serve as its hub as it develops footprints across Africa.

Solaire Africa is seeking to expand across the continent, with many people now preferring solar energy as compared to erratic power supply in many regions.

‎The company said the new office in Nairobi's Westlands area will serve as the centre for regional sales, system design and after-sales support, underscoring Kenya's growing importance in Africa's renewable energy landscape.

‎Solaire Africa, which operates in Kenya through Lagnuvo Africa Limited, has already installed solar systems with a combined capacity of 3.5 megawatts across residential, commercial and industrial sites across the country.

Its entry comes at a time when businesses and households are increasingly turning to solar power and battery storage solutions to manage rising electricity costs and cushion themselves against grid interruptions.

‎Speaking during the launch of the Nairobi hub, Solaire Africa chairman Muhamed Ali Chenangadan said the company's decision to establish a regional base in Kenya was informed by both the country's strategic location and growing demand for reliable energy solutions.

‎"We did not come to Kenya to sell boxes. The power challenges this country experiences are the same challenges we set out to solve in 1998," Chenangadan said.

‎"Twenty-eight years of power system manufacturing taught us one thing above all, engineer it to last and stand behind it. Nairobi is now the second home of that promise."

‎Founded in India in 1998, Solaire Africa is part of the Lagnuvo Group, which has built a manufacturing and research ecosystem serving markets across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America. 

‎The company currently operates in more than 14 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Tanzania and the United States.

‎Its product portfolio includes solar inverters, lithium battery storage systems, Tier-1 solar panels, solar water heaters and other components required for solar power installations. 

‎The company serves residential customers, commercial enterprises and utility-scale projects.

‎Solaire Africa CEO and director Mohammed Rinas Chenangadan said Kenya will act as the foundation for the company's broader growth plans across Africa.

‎"Kenya is not a test market for us. It is the platform for everything that follows on the continent. We bring the complete solution and the long-term guarantee. Trusted partners bring it to site, but the warranty stays with us for 10 years. That is the model we are scaling from this office," Rinas said.

‎The company works with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partners to undertake installations while retaining responsibility for product warranties and technical support.

‎Beyond equipment supply, Solaire Africa plans to invest in developing technical skills to support the rapid growth of the solar energy sector.

‎Director Gourab Sarkar said the company will launch training programmes across Kenya aimed at equipping engineers and technicians with practical knowledge on solar technologies and installation standards.

‎"As solar projects continue to increase, so does the demand for trained manpower. We will conduct training programmes across the country where interested engineers can gain hands-on product knowledge, receive certification and improve their technical skills," Sarkar said.

‎He noted that successful participants could be considered for employment opportunities within the company's future projects.

‎"Eligible candidates will have opportunities to work with us on upcoming projects. We want to educate more professionals because as demand for solar projects grows, so does the need for skilled personnel to support the industry," he said.

‎Sarkar added that Solaire Africa offers off-grid, hybrid and on-grid energy solutions designed to meet diverse customer needs.

‎"Our product portfolio caters for residential, commercial and utility-scale applications. We also provide free system design, technical consultation and both onsite and offsite support to ensure customers get the most from their investments," he said.

‎The launch was held in Nairobi and attended by business leaders and representatives of the Kenyan and Indian business communities, highlighting the growing commercial ties between the two countries in the renewable energy sector.