How St. Christopher’s International School Scaled Its Solar System to 150 kWp

What happens when an institutions energy demand grows and the energy solution needs to keep up?

For St. Christophers International School in Nairobi, the solution was a solar system designed to grow with them.

Working with AM Power the school implemented a 150 kWp solar energy system in two phases, starting with hybrid solar and battery backup when grid reliability was a concern, then expanding into a larger grid-tied system as the school’s energy demand increased.

It’s a good example of how a well-planned commercial solar solution can grow alongside an organisation.

The Challenge: Lower Energy Costs, Build for the Future

St. Christopher’s wanted to reduce its reliance on grid electricity, manage rising energy costs and strengthen its commitment to sustainability.

But there was another consideration: the school was growing.

Its energy requirements were not going to stay the same. The solar system therefore needed to provide value immediately while leaving room to adapt as the campus and its energy demand developed.

Phase 1: Solar + Battery Backup

The first phase consisted of a 50 kWp hybrid solar system with battery storage.

At the time, the grid was relatively unstable, making reliable backup power particularly important for the school’s boarding facilities.

The combination of solar generation and battery storage allowed the school to make greater use of renewable energy while providing additional resilience when grid power was unavailable.

But the school's needs didn't stop there.

Phase 2: Expanding to 150 kWp

As the school grew, its electricity demand increased significantly.

At the same time, grid reliability had improved, changing the role that battery storage played in the overall energy strategy.

AM Power responded by installing an additional 100 kWp grid-tied solar system, bringing the school's total installed solar capacity to 150 kWp.

The original 50 kWp system was also converted to grid-tied operation.

The result? A larger solar system designed around the school's current energy needs, rather than the needs it had when the project first began.

The Impact

Today, the school’s solar system helps meet up to 90% of its daytime energy needs and avoids approximately 100 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year.

But the impact goes beyond energy savings. The system has become part of the school’s wider sustainability journey, giving students a real-world example of renewable energy in action and showing how the choices we make about energy can contribute to a more sustainable future..

Their final solution is a solar system that will continue to grow with the school.

A Solar Solution That Grows With You

St. Christopher’s is a good example of why solar doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all investment.

By taking a phased approach, the school was able to address its immediate energy challenges, start seeing the benefits of solar, and expand the system as its needs changed.

For growing organisations, the right solar solution isn’t just about meeting today’s energy demand. It’s about creating a system that can adapt to tomorrow’s.

At AM Power Solar, we design turnkey solar solutions for commercial and industrial clients, combining the right technology, design and approach to help businesses and institutions reduce energy costs, improve resilience and transition to cleaner power.