Get an EPRA solar PV technician or solar contractor licence
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Apply on the EPRA licensing portal as a solar PV technician (class T1, T2 or T3) or as a solar contractor/vendor (C1, V1 or V2), and pay the application fee by M-Pesa or bank. A T1 technician licence costs KSh 250 to apply plus a KSh 1,000 grant fee; EPRA aims to issue technician licences within 60 days.
- Fee
- KSh 250Solar PV technician class T1: application feeKSh 1,000Solar PV technician class T1: grant feeKSh 500Solar PV technician class T1: annual renewal feeKSh 500Solar PV technician class T2: application feeKSh 2,000Solar PV technician class T2: grant feeKSh 750Solar PV technician class T2: annual renewal feeKSh 750Solar PV technician class T3: application feeKSh 3,000Solar PV technician class T3: grant feeKSh 1,000Solar PV technician class T3: annual renewal feeKSh 500Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class C1: application feeKSh 1,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class C1: grant feeKSh 1,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class C1: annual renewal feeKSh 1,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class V1: application feeKSh 2,500Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class V1: grant feeKSh 1,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class V1: annual renewal feeKSh 2,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class V2: application feeKSh 5,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class V2: grant feeKSh 2,000Solar PV contractor/vendor/manufacturer class V2: annual renewal fee
- How long
- Within 60 days for a technician licence (contractor licences: within 30 days)
- Where
- Online on the EPRA licensing portal (portal.epra.go.ke). EPRA head office: Eagle Africa Centre, Longonot Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.
What you need
- Technician: your work experience, academic qualifications and at least two referees
- Contractor: Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration Certificate
- Contractor: valid KRA Tax Compliance Certificate
- Contractor: licensed technician's consent letter and a copy of the technician's licence
- Contractor: proof of office premises (title deed or valid lease) and county business permit
Steps
- Go to www.epra.go.ke, open the online licensing portal and create an account (individual for technicians, business for contractors).
- Choose the licence type and class, then fill in your work experience, qualifications and referees.
- Upload the required documents and pay the application fee by M-Pesa or bank deposit.
- Submit for review. You get an email confirming the application was received.
Watch out
- To renew a technician licence you first file returns for the solar work you did the previous year.
- Once licensed, you log each job on the portal (commencement of work notice, then completion certificate). You need a valid licence to do this.
- Contractors must show test instruments (earth loop impedance, insulation resistance and earth resistance testers, clamp meter) at a licensing inspection.
Who can apply
- Technician: you must meet EPRA's education and solar installation experience requirements for your class (T1, T2 or T3).
- Contractor C1 needs a class T3 technician; a T2 technician only allows V1 or V2.
Official sources (5)
- EPRA Citizens' Service Delivery Charter 2026 epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Electricity and Renewable Energy Licensing Application User Manual epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Solar PV Works Commencement of Work Notice and Completion Certificate Submission Manual epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- License Application epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- EPRA Licensing Portal portal.epra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026