Influence of technology attributes on the adoption of concentrated solar technology by tea factories run by KTDA in Kenya

Abstract

The general objective of this study was to find out the effects of Concentrated Solar Power technology (CSPT) attributes on the adoption of CSPT by the Kenyan tea factories run by KTDA. Specifically the study investigated the effect of cost effectiveness, ease of installation, less health hazards, twenty four hour availability, acceptable heat range, minimize carbon emissions and triability attributes on the adoption of CSPT by tea factories managed by KTDA. The target populations was all factory unit managers of the 66 tea factories under the management of KTDA. The study was a cross-sectional survey taking a quantitative approach with descriptive and inferential statistical outcomes. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire and a binary logistic regression model was used to analyse the data. Six specific attributes of CSPT (cost effectiveness, less health hazards, twenty four hour availability, acceptable heat range, minimize carbon emissions and triability) were found to have a positive relationship with adoption of CSPT. However ease of installation was found to be insignificant.