Cost of EPRA Solar PV Licence in Kenya
The cost depends on whether the applicant is an individual technician or a company applying as a contractor, vendor, manufacturer or importer. Official fees should be paid only through the EPRA portal or official payment instructions generated during the application process.
Official EPRA fee guide for Solar PV technician licences
| Class | Application fee | Grant fee | Annual renewal fee | Typical applicant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | KES 250 | KES 1,000 | KES 500 | Basic solar PV worker/technician class, subject to EPRA qualification criteria. |
| T2 | KES 500 | KES 2,000 | KES 750 | Intermediate solar PV worker/technician class, subject to EPRA qualification criteria. |
| T3 | KES 750 | KES 3,000 | KES 1,000 | Advanced solar PV worker/technician class; often important for company contractor applications. |
Official EPRA fee guide for Solar PV contractor, vendor and manufacturer/importer licences
| Class | Application fee | Grant fee | Annual renewal fee | Typical applicant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | KES 500 | KES 1,000 | KES 1,000 | Solar PV contractor class for companies carrying out solar PV contracting activities. |
| V1 | KES 1,000 | KES 2,500 | KES 1,000 | Solar PV vendor class, depending on the business activity selected on the portal. |
| V2 | KES 2,000 | KES 5,000 | KES 2,000 | Solar PV manufacturer/importer class, depending on the activity selected on the portal. |
Biz Brokers Kenya professional support fees
| Service package | Professional fee guide | Best for | Typical deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPRA Solar PV Licence Readiness Review | From KES 25,000 – 50,000 | Applicants unsure of licence category, missing documents or eligibility. | Licence category advice, document gap list and filing roadmap. |
| Individual Technician Licence Support | From KES 20,000 | T1, T2 or T3 applicants seeking document review and portal guidance. | Document checklist, application guidance and query support. |
| Solar Contractor Licence Support | From KES 65,000 | Solar installation companies applying for contractor licensing. | Company document pack review, technician consent checklist, tools checklist and EPRA filing support. |
| Solar Vendor / Importer Licence Support | From KES 65,000 | Solar traders, vendors, importers, distributors and manufacturers. | Vendor/importer document pack, KRA/TCC, business permit and EPRA filing support. |
| Foreign Solar Company Market Entry Pack | From KES 150,000 + official fees | Foreign solar companies entering Kenya for supply, installation, EPC or distribution. | Company/branch setup pathway, KRA, EPRA, immigration and local representative compliance roadmap. |
| Solar Tender Compliance Pack | From KES 85,000 | Solar contractors bidding for commercial, donor-funded, government or EPC tenders. | EPRA/NCA/KRA/company/technical document checklist and bid compliance matrix. |
Need help applying for an EPRA Solar PV Licence?
We assist solar technicians, contractors, vendors, importers and foreign solar companies with EPRA Solar PV licence applications, document preparation, company setup, KRA compliance, county permits, immigration support and solar tender compliance packs.
Call: +254 757 884 710
Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com
WhatsApp: Chat on WhatsApp
Types of EPRA Solar PV Licences in Kenya
EPRA Solar PV licensing is structured around the role of the applicant. The correct class affects the documents required, technical personnel needed, fees payable and whether inspection is required.
| Licence type | Who it is for | Commercial opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| Solar PV Technician / Worker: T1, T2, T3 | Individuals with solar PV training, electrical/electronic qualifications and verifiable installation experience. | Technicians can support contractors, employment opportunities, tenders and regulated solar installation work. |
| Solar PV Contractor: C1 | Companies carrying out solar PV contracting or installation activities. | Useful for companies installing solar systems for homes, businesses, factories, schools, NGOs, hotels and EPC clients. |
| Solar PV Vendor: V1 | Companies selling or distributing solar PV systems or components. | Useful for solar shops, distributors, resellers and local brands. |
| Solar PV Manufacturer / Importer: V2 | Companies importing, manufacturing or supplying solar PV systems or components. | Useful for foreign manufacturers, importers, distributors, BESS suppliers and solar equipment brands entering Kenya. |
Requirements for EPRA Solar PV Licence Applications
Requirements for individual Solar PV technician licences
An individual applicant should prepare a clean evidence file showing identity, tax registration, education, solar PV training, technical experience and referees.
- National ID or passport.
- KRA PIN certificate.
- Passport-size photograph.
- Academic and professional certificates relevant to electrical, electronic, renewable energy or solar PV work.
- Basic or intermediate solar PV training certificate depending on class.
- Evidence of verifiable solar installation experience.
- Referee details and supporting recommendation letters where available.
- Any additional document requested on the EPRA online licensing portal.
Requirements for companies: contractor, vendor, manufacturer or importer
Company applications are more document-heavy because EPRA checks the legal entity, directors, tax status, office, technician, design tools and inspection readiness.
- Certificate of incorporation or business registration certificate.
- Certified copy of VAT certificate or KRA PIN certificate.
- Valid Tax Compliance Certificate from KRA.
- Certified CR12 not older than one year for limited companies.
- Legible copies of IDs or passports for all company directors.
- Class G work permits for foreign directors as per CR12, or a notarised non-residence/non-work letter where foreign directors neither live nor work in Kenya.
- Certified copy of valid county business permit.
- Proof of occupancy of office premises, such as title deed or valid lease agreement.
- Licensed technician consent letter in the prescribed format.
- Copy of the technician’s valid EPRA licence.
- Template for completion certificates and warranties.
- Details of Solar PV design tools.
- Inspection-ready instruments, tools and safety gear where required.
Tools, instruments and safety gear for inspection
For contractor/vendor/manufacturer/importer applications, EPRA may check instruments, tools and safety gear during licensing inspection. Prepare the office and tools before the inspection date.
- Earth loop impedance tester.
- Insulation resistance tester.
- Earth resistance tester.
- Clamp meter or multimeter.
- Electrician tool box.
- Safety gear and equipment, including overalls, reflectors and harnesses.
- Appropriate climbing equipment.
- Drilling machines.
- Spanners, screwdrivers, pipe wrenches and torque wrench.
- Office accessories such as computer and printer.
Application Procedure on the EPRA Online Portal
EPRA applications are filed through the online licensing portal. The process differs slightly for individuals and companies, but the general workflow is similar.
- Confirm the correct licence category.
Decide whether you need T1, T2, T3, C1, V1, V2 or a broader solar business compliance pack. - Prepare the document file.
Organise IDs, KRA, qualifications, experience, company documents, CR12, tax compliance, business permit, office proof and technician documents. - Create or log into the EPRA portal account.
Use an individual account for technician licences and a business account for company licences. - Select the correct licence type and class.
For companies, select Solar PV Contractor/Vendor for C1 and V1, or Solar PV Manufacturer/Importer for V2. - Complete online details.
Fill in bio data, company directors, office location, technician licence number, area of operation and relevant work experience. - Upload documents.
Attach all requested documents and confirm they are valid, legible and consistent. - Pay the official fee.
Pay the application fee, grant fee or renewal fee as directed by the portal using the official payment options. - Submit for review.
Monitor the portal and email for confirmation, queries, inspection notices or approval. - Prepare for inspection where required.
Company applicants should ensure tools, safety gear, office documents and technician documents are ready. - Download or print the licence after approval.
Maintain the licence, file annual returns where required and renew before expiry.
Solar Contractor, Vendor and Importer Compliance
For business clients, the EPRA licence is only one part of the solar compliance pathway. A company seeking to install, sell, import or tender for solar PV projects in Kenya should align the business structure, tax status, licence class, technician, office and tender documents.
Company setup
Incorporation or business registration, CR12, registered office, director documents and beneficial ownership consistency.
KRA and tax
KRA PIN, Tax Compliance Certificate, VAT/PAYE review and import tax planning where applicable.
County permit
Business permit for the premises, branch or operational location where required.
Technical person
Valid EPRA technician licence, consent letter and evidence that the technician is properly engaged.
Tools and safety
Design tools, testing equipment, safety gear and inspection readiness.
Tender pack
EPRA licence, KRA TCC, company documents, project references, warranties, technical CVs and compliance matrix.
Foreign Solar Companies Entering Kenya
Foreign solar companies, solar equipment manufacturers, EPC contractors and importers should structure Kenya entry carefully. A foreign company may need a Kenyan subsidiary, branch, distributor, local representative or local partner, depending on the business model.
| Need | Practical route | Biz Brokers support |
|---|---|---|
| Selling or distributing solar products | Local company, vendor/importer licence, KRA, county permit and local distribution agreements. | Company setup, EPRA V1/V2 support, KRA and local compliance pack. |
| Installing or contracting solar projects | EPRA contractor licence, licensed technician, tools, local office, KRA, county permit and possibly NCA review. | Contractor licence support, technician compliance, tools checklist and tender-readiness pack. |
| Deploying foreign engineers or technicians | Special Pass, Class D work permit or other appropriate immigration status before work begins. | Immigration pathway review, eFNS filing support and project staff compliance planning. |
| Importing connected solar/BESS products | Import compliance, EPRA vendor/importer licensing, and possible CA type approval for communication-enabled equipment. | EPRA/KRA market-entry review and CA type approval screening for GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, LoRa or IoT-enabled devices. |
Solar Tender and EPC Compliance Support
Many solar tenders require more than a basic EPRA licence. Government, donor-funded, school, hospital, hotel, commercial and industrial solar projects often require a compliance pack showing the contractor can legally and technically deliver.
Solar tender compliance checklist
- EPRA Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer/importer licence.
- Valid EPRA technician licence and technician consent letter.
- KRA PIN and valid Tax Compliance Certificate.
- Company registration documents and current CR12.
- County business permit and proof of office premises.
- NCA compliance review where the project includes construction, mounting structures, civil works or EPC execution.
- Technical staff CVs, certificates and licences.
- Completion certificate and warranty templates.
- Past project references and client completion records.
- Performance bond, insurance, safety and contract documentation where requested.
Renewals, Returns and EPRA Registers
EPRA Solar PV licences are not a one-off compliance item. Licence holders should track expiry dates, file returns where required, update business profile information and renew through the portal before expiry.
- Monitor licence expiry dates for technicians and company licences.
- File returns for work or activities done in the previous year where required by the portal.
- Update company documents, CR12, TCC, office location and technician details where they change.
- Ensure licensed technicians notify EPRA before leaving an engaged contractor where required.
- Check EPRA public registers for active Solar PV contractors and technicians when verifying market participants.
How Biz Brokers Kenya Helps Solar Businesses
Biz Brokers Kenya assists solar technicians, contractors, vendors, importers and foreign solar companies to become compliant for licensing, tendering, importation, installation and project execution in Kenya.
Official Sources and Useful Links
EPRA rules, official fees and portal workflows can change. Always rely on the latest EPRA portal invoice and official checklist before payment or filing.
- EPRA — License Application page.
- EPRA — Renewable Energy Registers.
- EPRA — 2025 English Service Delivery Charter.
- EPRA — Electricity and Renewable Energy Licensing Application User Manual.
- EPRA — Solar PV Works Commencement of Work Notice and Completion Certificate Manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs an EPRA Solar PV licence in Kenya?
Individuals and companies involved in solar PV design, installation, contracting, vending, importing, manufacturing or related regulated solar PV work may require an EPRA Solar PV licence depending on their role.
What are the EPRA Solar PV licence classes?
The key public categories are Solar PV technician classes T1, T2 and T3, and company classes C1, V1 and V2 for contractor, vendor, manufacturer or importer activities. The portal category selected should match the actual business activity.
How much does an EPRA Solar PV licence cost?
Official fees vary by class. EPRA’s 2025 service charter lists application, grant and renewal fees for T1, T2, T3, C1, V1 and V2. The portal invoice should be treated as the final payment reference.
How long does the EPRA Solar PV licence process take?
EPRA’s service charter indicates within 60 days for Solar PV technician licences and within 30 days for Solar PV contractor, vendor or manufacturer licences, subject to complete documents and any required inspection or clarification.
Can foreigners or foreign companies apply?
Yes. Foreign-owned companies should align company registration, director documents, work permits or notarised non-residence letters, KRA, local office, county permit, EPRA licence and immigration compliance before filing.
Do solar contractors need a licensed technician?
Yes. EPRA company applications typically require a licensed technician’s consent letter and a copy of the technician’s valid EPRA licence. The technician’s class may affect the company class the applicant can apply for.
Can Biz Brokers Kenya help with the EPRA online portal?
Yes. We assist with category assessment, document review, application preparation, portal filing support, query response, inspection preparation and renewal support.
Is a county business permit the same as an EPRA Solar PV licence?
No. A county business permit is a local operating licence for business premises. An EPRA Solar PV licence is a sector-specific energy licence. A solar company may need both.
Does a solar contractor also need NCA registration?
Some solar projects may involve construction, civil works, mounting structures or larger EPC works where NCA compliance should be reviewed. The need depends on the project scope and tender requirements.
Can you help verify a solar contractor before I hire them?
Yes. Where you need to verify a contractor, licence, company, project history, warranty documents or tender claim before payment or contract signing, we can refer the matter to RVS Kenya for contractor and project due diligence.
Apply for an EPRA Solar PV Licence with Biz Brokers Kenya
Send your intended solar activity, applicant type, company documents, technician details and deadline. We will advise the correct licence class, missing documents, likely compliance issues and professional support fee.
Call: +254 757 884 710
Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com
WhatsApp: Chat on WhatsApp
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