Uganda like most African countries is blessed to have access to abundant natural renewable energy (sunshine), from which clean electricity can be harnessed with the help of solar panel plates. solar technological adoption in Uganda however remains very low despite government positive gesture through tax waiver. The key question this paper asks is ; Why is the uptake of the solar technology still very low in Uganda?

1. Page 1 of 11
LIMITATIONS TO SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
UPTAKE IN UGANDA
2019
Author : ISAIAH EITU

2. Page 2 of 11
Abstract/Summary
The solar PV technology grew from 10 Gigawatts in 2007 to 402 Gigawatts
in 2017, with China, Japan, US, India and Turkey accounting for close to
84% of these new installations. These 5 solar PV giant countries do not
only produce solar PV technologies for their domestic consumption but
have earned their place in the world market for solar technologies export.
They have apprehended their solar PV uptake barriers categorized under;
technical, business management, policy and economic related. They have
learnt to work around these limitations and continued to improve their
innovations to meet the international standards. Developing countries on
the other hand continue to lag behind despite having the most suitable
climate for solar technologies. Uganda for example is endowed with
sunshine that is well distributed and high throughout the year. The
country experiences 5-6 kWh M-2 radiation7 per day on flat surfaces yet
the uptake of solar technology remains very low. From the finding of this
study, 80% of the respondents pointed out high solar costs as the major
limitation while (70%) sighted inadequate knowledge of the potential and
reliability of solar systems as a principle limitation to solar technology
adoption. On a positive note, all the bottlenecks identified by the study
can be effectively addressed through; review of government policies (tax
exemption, tax holiday, subsidize), advocacy and standard control
mechanism that play a pertinent role in enhancement of solar technology
uptake.
Key words; Solar, technology, uptake

3. Page 3 of 11
1.0 Introduction
The solar technology has slowly earned its self a place in the
international energy source arena as one of the reliable, accessible, and
affordable and a sure means of improving the quality of energy service
level but also as one sure means to reduction of greenhouse carbon
emissions. In Uganda despite private and public efforts to promote solar
technologies, the process has continued to grow at relatively low pace.
This paper was therefore prepared to establish factors limiting the
adoption / uptake of solar technology in Uganda. It further sought to
provide possible remedies to address the fronted limitations.
1.1 Problem statement
The end of the MDGs in 2015 saw the birth of the SDGs by the United
Nations General Assembly and their subsequent operationalization in
2016. Combating extreme climate change through promotion of clean
renewable energy was one of the cardinal undertakings ratified to by
member states under SDG 13. This meant among others adoption and
promotion of solar technologies where possible to generate the required
energy as an alternative to traditional energy sources (fossil fuels and
hydro power). The popularity of solar technologies in the developed
countries such as US, German, China and Japan continues to grow at the
fastest rate compared to any other energy option (IEA 2018). China, India
and Germany are not only the world leading manufacturers of the solar
products for the international markets, but also the leading consumers
of their own solar technology products. Despite ratification to the
undertaking, the developing countries are still trailing in the promotion
and adoption of the solar technologies, accounting for the lowest uptake
statistics of 2% global share. The reason to this low performance is not
clearly defined. Uganda like most developing countries has not equally
scored over the bar with solar usage standing at 10.6 % (UBOS 2014:
68). In 2012 the Uganda Revenue Authority a Ugandan tax body,
exempted solar panels, solar LED bulbs, solar fridges and solar water
heaters from payment of import tax. This gesture according to the
Ugandan government was aimed at increasing the uptake of solar

4. Page 4 of 11
technologies. Speculations from business analysts at different forum
attribute the current improvement in the solar businesses in Uganda to
the tax exemption initiative. However preliminary interactions with a
section of Ugandan a cross different age groups, gender, literacy and
social status triggered similar negative sentiments to a solar technology
adoption proposal. The question is why? Despite the existence of the
Uganda solar energy association (USEA) whose mandate is to promote the
solar technology uptake in urban and rural areas. This study therefore
wanted to establish the factors that have continued to negatively limit on
the solar technology uptake in Uganda.
1.2 Purpose of the study
 To establish factors limiting solar uptake in Uganda.
 To identify remedies for acceleration of solar uptake in Uganda
1.2.0 Research questions
 What factors are limiting the solar technology uptake in Uganda
 How can the limitation of solar technology usage be addressed so
as to accelerate its up take in Uganda.
2.0 Literature review
In 2007, the world solar energy generation stood at 10 Gigawatts, 10
years later in the 2017 survey it was established that the world solar
power generation had leaped to 402 Gigawatts. (REN12 2018: 90) . 2017
alone witnessed installation of an additional 178 Gigawatts. China, US,
Japan, India and Turkey were responsible for nearly 84% of the new
installations (REN12 2018:90). The growth is attributed to the
commitment to the reduction of Carbon dioxide/ greenhouse emissions,
aimed at addressing the negative effects of climate change, in line with
the UN SDG 13 undertaking on renewable energy. The Solar technology
according to the trends of uptake is expected to rapidly grow to 880
Gigawatts by 2022 (IEA 2018). These figures can be achieved within the
shorted time and surpassed however there a number of limitations world
over that have continued to work against the technology uptake. Previous
studies indicate a growing trend of limitations cutting across continental
divided. The limitations established by a number of scholars are social,
economic, business management and policy related. Emrah. K et.al (2015)

5. Page 5 of 11
analysed the barriers in 28 countries across 4 continents of Africa, Asia,
Europe, America and categorized them in to four dimensions;
sociotechnical, management, economic and policy.
2.1 Social – technical related Limitations
Sociotechnical issues such as lack of adequate knowledge among the
solar technology adopters resulting to improper usage, the biased
perceptions of the adopters to new technologies, in Hong Kong, the
inadequacy of space became a limitation for installation and positioning
of the solar technology thus biasing its uptake. The distance between the
service centers coupled with the skill gap and numbers to carry out
technical trouble shooting of the existing solar PV installations, works as
a barrier to the solar technology uptake.
2.2 Management related limitations
The way companies build up and set their feet in the market in terms of
structures, plans, and manage the day to day business operations, has a
direct bearing of how people will trust and adopt or reject what could
have been a good product. Under the management dimension wrong
company business portfolios for the target market, weak and neglected
after sale services, poor marketing and educational campaigns are a
hindrance to market penetration. Thiam (2011) however urges that
whereas the fossils fuel energy source is mature and well established
compared to solar, if the tariff competitive advantage of solar technology
is maximized and well sold out, the immature solar technology could gain
momentum and coverage over the fossils. Recruitment and deployment
of sales persons without adequate solar PV technology knowledge leaves
a lot of gaps
2.3 Economic Limitations
Economic barriers are always related to the high costs associated to the
new technologies. ( Emrah.K etal 2015). These costs are believed to
decrease with time as the technology uptake increases (Spence. A 1981).
This study also established that the shrinking economy results to a
reduced electricity consumption thus limited solar PV uptake. The
political unrest in Ghana for example that lasted for several decades and
led to the expulsion of foreign direct investors in 1966, preventing the
fostering of the solar energy in the Ghanaian market. Access to finance

6. Page 6 of 11
affects both the solar technology level of investment on one hand and on
the other hand it affects the purchasing power of potential adopters
(Silva 2016).
2.4 Policy related limitations
The ability for new technologies to thrive in a given environment largely
depends on the existence of good supporting policy frameworks. China,
German, India and Japan established deliberate transformational policies
aimed at production, promotion and adoption of clean renewable energy.
It’s the simple reason why these countries rank at the forefront of the
global solar wattage installation (IEA 2018). In Europe and the US, several
solar energy projects came to realization due to subsidies and tax breaks
as well as other supportive policies in the early stages of development
(Silva 2016). However the regression actions in 2012 created heavy
shocks leading to a drastic drop in small scale investment companies.
Silva (2016) further highlights Market Spoilage with the presence of
substandard products in the market. Poor-quality products, although
cheap, increase the difficulty of market penetration because the end
users no longer trust the technology. Government policies and regulatory
frameworks to address matters of product quality remains a big gap to
be addressed in the developing countries in a bid to ensure value for
money (M. Harper et al…2013:9)
3.0 Methodology summary
Mukono district was used as a case study for this paper development, a
sample pupation of 200 respondents randomly and purposively selected.
The data collectors were able to conduct 190 interviews successfully
using both open and closed ended questionnaires.
3.1 Activities
 Data collection tool development
A questionnaire with open ended and closed ended questions was
developed enveloping all key and minor aspects of solar
technology knowledge. The questionnaire was designed to collect
both qualitative and quantitative data.

7. Page 7 of 11
 Training of data collectors
The researcher hired 5 data collectors, conducted a one day
training on the questionnaire understanding and administration.
To ensure a clear understanding of the data collection tool and
instil appreciation of the relevance of the study.
 Testing of data collection tools
The data collectors at the end of the training test administered the
questionnaire and minor our standing hiccups identified in the
questionnaire were rectified.
 Data collection
The data was collected using the questionnaire developed and
administered by data collectors. The respondents were selected
using random and purposive sampling method.
 Data cleaning
Once the data was received from the field, the researcher reviewed
to identify minor or major errors, oversights that would require
either clarification from the data collector, respondent or would
render the information invalid.
 Data analysis and report writing
The data was entered in the excel spread sheet and analysed as per
the parameters stipulated by the researcher and later used to draw
out conclusions which formed a basis of this study findings.
4.0 Main results
 100% of the respondents have heard about the solar technology
 95% Don’t fully understand how the solar technology works
 90% have ever seen a solar item either with a hawker or with a
neighbour.
 8% have ever used a solar component
 5% currently have a solar technology in their home or work place
 Of the5% using any form of solar technology, 3% are not very
satisfied with its performance
 97% believe the solar products in Uganda are fake
 On the cost, 90% of the respondents believe solar is very expensive.
 Only 2% of the solar dealers were using solar in their homes.
 98% of both dealers and ordinary users did not know how to
differentiate between a fake and an original solar products.

8. Page 8 of 11
4.1 Lessons learnt
 There is a wider information/ knowledge gap on the effectiveness
of solar technology in meeting the domestic, institution of
community needs.
 The government’s voice has not been heard in the promotion of the
solar technology in Uganda.
 Solar is generally perceived to be expensive and so a product for
the affluent.
 The affluent believe solar technology is not reliable and not
effective to serve their needs but it is very handy for the low
income earners.
 The users are sceptical on the availability of technical capacity to
trouble shooting (maintain and repair) solar components in case
need be.
 There is more negative abstract solar knowledge out that has biased
people.
 The solar dealers still face a huge tax burden on other solar
components despite government policy on exemption of taxes on
solar panels and led bulbs.
 Solar components especially solar panels are very fragile and thus
require extra caution when handling, an aspect lacking in most
households, communities and institutions.
5.0 Recommendations
 The Uganda solar energy association (USEA) and ministry of energy
need to put an extra resources and efforts in a holistic mass
sensitization of Ugandans on the effectiveness of the solar
technology in serving their day to day energy needs. These
institutions can work in collaboration with other institutions like
ministry of water and WASH CSOs that have engaged fully in the
use of solar technologies in solving dire community needs.
 The ministry of energy needs to think about establishment of a
renewable energy technology testing centre, which the UNBS can
second staff for quality assurance of solar modules and other solar
components as a way of guaranteeing the quality of renewable
technology in the market. This will further go a long way in building
public trust on the solar technology in their markets.
 The government through its tax body (URA) might need to review
its tax exemption policy to widen the scope of solar items under
exemption to lower the general cost of the technology.

9. Page 9 of 11
 The government needs to develop a deliberate policy on promotion
of solar technology at household, this can be wrapped on a
verifiable government subsidy on every purchase of a solar
component.
 Government, USEA and other interested stakeholders could adopt
an extensive training (capacity building) of solar technology
technicians as a means to improve skill and numbers of expertise
to handle operation and maintenance issues for solar technologies.
 One deliberate policy to solar promotion and uptake is by
government to ensure that all government offices/ institutions are
running on some percentage of solar technology.
6.0 Conclusion
The achievement of the Sustainable goal 13, as a means of saving our
planet earth comes not from individual free will but it’s birthed out of a
joint directional focus spear headed by governments under well guided
deliberate policies with CSOs and development partners as its champions
7.0 Acknowledgements
I wish to appreciate the solar powered mini piped water schemes project
(SPMPWS) Team for the support received towards the successful
completion of this research.
8.0 References
Jamalia O.Y.WyllieEmmanuel A.Essah (2018) Barriers of solar energy
uptake and the potential for mitigation solutions in Barbados
Yvonne Andiva (2018)
https://constructionreviewonline.com/2018/10/9-of-solar-energy-to-
make-progress-in-africa-in-next-2-years/
REN21(2018) Renewables 2018 global status report
http://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/17-
8652_GSR2018_FullReport_web_-1.pdf
International Energy Agency (2017) ;Solar leads the charge in another
record year for renewables https://www.iea.org/renewables/
International Renewable Energy Agency (2018); Renewable Capacity
Highlights http://www.irena.org/-

10. Page 10 of 11
/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2018/Mar/RE_capacity_highlig
hts_2018.pdf?la=en&hash=21795787DA9BB41A32D2FF3A9C0702C4385
7B39C
Uganda Buearue of Statistics (2014): Uganda Rural- Urban Electrification
survey 2012. Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/03_2018ERT-
2012.pdf
Uganda Revenue Authority (2016); Inventory of Tax Incentives in
Uganda http://www.ugandainvest.go.ug/wp-
content/uploads/2016/03/Inventory-of-Tax-Incentives-in-Uganda.pdf
Thiam DR.(2011) An energy pricing scheme for the diffusion of
decentralized
renewable technology investment in developing countries. Energy
Policy
2011;39 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.04.046
Spence A. The learning curve and competition. Bell J Econ 1981;12:49–
70
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3003508?origin=crossref&seq=1#metadat
a_info_tab_contents .
E. Karakaya, P. Sriwannawit (2015) Barriers to the adoption of
photovoltaic systems. http://www.diva-
portal.org/smash/get/diva2:811645/FULLTEXT02
M. Harper,P. Alstone, A. Jacobson (2013); A Growing and Evolving
Market for Off grid Lighting ,Schatz Energy Research Center, Humboldt
State University Peter Alstone Clean Energy Consulting
https://www.lightingafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/44_Off-
GridLighting_MarketPresence_Kenya_Mar2013_Final.pdf
Uganda Solar Energy Association (2016)
www.unreeea.org
Contact Details
Name : ISAIAH EITU
Email: eitu2004@yahoo.co.uk

11. Page 11 of 11
Tel: 0752141755