Bridging Energy Gaps: A Strategic & Operational Gap Analysis of a Kenyan Solar Energy Company
(2025) MIOM05 20251Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences
Production Management
- Abstract
- The accelerating impacts of climate change are seen worldwide but are particularly critical in Africa, showing the importance of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. As part of this agenda, energy transition is vital. Kenya offers ideal conditions for solar photovoltaic systems, making solar energy a compelling solution for its growing electricity needs.
The purpose of the thesis is to describe and analyze the business model for a Kenyan company that distributes environmental products and to propose strategic and operational actions. This research adopts an abductive, qualitative single-case study approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with executives, customers, stakeholders, and fieldwork... (More) - The accelerating impacts of climate change are seen worldwide but are particularly critical in Africa, showing the importance of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. As part of this agenda, energy transition is vital. Kenya offers ideal conditions for solar photovoltaic systems, making solar energy a compelling solution for its growing electricity needs.
The purpose of the thesis is to describe and analyze the business model for a Kenyan company that distributes environmental products and to propose strategic and operational actions. This research adopts an abductive, qualitative single-case study approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with executives, customers, stakeholders, and fieldwork observations in Kenya.
This thesis investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with the expanding commercial solar PV adoption in Kenya using established frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, and Business-to-Business segmentation theories. Using frameworks like these, the study analyzes how well current offerings align with the needs of the case company’s customer segments.
Findings show strong alignment between customer expectations for reliable and affordable energy solutions and the company's services. Nevertheless, as demand grows and operations expand into new markets or segments, challenges arise, particularly around operational efficiency and organizational structure, that must be addressed to maintain success. The study concludes by offering strategic recommendations to help companies serve evolving markets. Additionally, the study provides suggestions on optimizing operations centered around the decentralization of decision making, optimizing maintenance scheduling, and implementing a centralized digital lead tracking system. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- The accelerating impacts of climate change are seen worldwide but are particularly critical in Africa, showing the importance of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. As part of this agenda, energy transition is vital. Kenya offers ideal conditions for solar photovoltaic systems, making solar energy a compelling solution for its growing electricity needs.
The purpose of the thesis is to describe and analyze the business model for a Kenyan company that distributes environmental products and to propose strategic and operational actions. This research adopts an abductive, qualitative single-case study approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with executives, customers, stakeholders, and fieldwork... (More) - The accelerating impacts of climate change are seen worldwide but are particularly critical in Africa, showing the importance of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. As part of this agenda, energy transition is vital. Kenya offers ideal conditions for solar photovoltaic systems, making solar energy a compelling solution for its growing electricity needs.
The purpose of the thesis is to describe and analyze the business model for a Kenyan company that distributes environmental products and to propose strategic and operational actions. This research adopts an abductive, qualitative single-case study approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with executives, customers, stakeholders, and fieldwork observations in Kenya.
This thesis investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with the expanding commercial solar PV adoption in Kenya using established frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, and Business-to-Business segmentation theories. Using frameworks like these, the study analyzes how well current offerings align with the needs of the case company’s customer segments.
Findings show strong alignment between customer expectations for reliable and affordable energy solutions and the company's services. Nevertheless, as demand grows and operations expand into new markets or segments, challenges arise, particularly around operational efficiency and organizational structure, that must be addressed to maintain success. The study concludes by offering strategic recommendations to help companies serve evolving markets. Additionally, the study provides suggestions on optimizing operations centered around the decentralization of decision making, optimizing maintenance scheduling, and implementing a centralized digital lead tracking system. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9189169
- author
- Berglund, Nils LU and Danielsson, Axel LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MIOM05 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Sustainable development, Solar photovoltaic (PV), Energy transition, Kenya, Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, B2B market segmentation, Operational improvement, Strategic improvement.
- other publication id
- 25/5299
- language
- English
- id
- 9189169
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-17 16:31:05
- date last changed
- 2025-06-17 16:31:05
@misc{9189169,
abstract = {{The accelerating impacts of climate change are seen worldwide but are particularly critical in Africa, showing the importance of the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. As part of this agenda, energy transition is vital. Kenya offers ideal conditions for solar photovoltaic systems, making solar energy a compelling solution for its growing electricity needs.
The purpose of the thesis is to describe and analyze the business model for a Kenyan company that distributes environmental products and to propose strategic and operational actions. This research adopts an abductive, qualitative single-case study approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with executives, customers, stakeholders, and fieldwork observations in Kenya.
This thesis investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with the expanding commercial solar PV adoption in Kenya using established frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, and Business-to-Business segmentation theories. Using frameworks like these, the study analyzes how well current offerings align with the needs of the case company’s customer segments.
Findings show strong alignment between customer expectations for reliable and affordable energy solutions and the company's services. Nevertheless, as demand grows and operations expand into new markets or segments, challenges arise, particularly around operational efficiency and organizational structure, that must be addressed to maintain success. The study concludes by offering strategic recommendations to help companies serve evolving markets. Additionally, the study provides suggestions on optimizing operations centered around the decentralization of decision making, optimizing maintenance scheduling, and implementing a centralized digital lead tracking system.}},
author = {{Berglund, Nils and Danielsson, Axel}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Bridging Energy Gaps: A Strategic & Operational Gap Analysis of a Kenyan Solar Energy Company}},
year = {{2025}},
}