Egerton University Photovoltaic Research Center (EUPRC) is dedicated to conducting research on cutting-edge materials and technologies for photovoltaic (PV) systems.  The center is hosted at the Faculty of Science of Egerton University. We use experimental and computational approaches for materials and devices design to attain scalable PV systems.  EUPRC also offers professional training on the design, installation and maintenance of PV systems.  In collaboration with our industry partners, we work to alleviate energy poverty and accelerate green energy transition in Kenya.

Mission

To advance photovoltaic technology through cutting-edge research, innovation, and specialized training, delivering scalable PV solutions that inspire Kenya’s just transition to clean energy.

Vision

To be a leading hub of innovation and excellence in photovoltaic research, driving sustainable energy solutions and advancing Kenya’s transition to a green economy.

Objectives

1. To conduct cutting edge research in the photovoltaic technology and optoelectronics
2. To write joint research proposals in photovoltaics, climate smart agriculture and agripreneurship
3. To co-supervise students across departments in the Faculty of Science
4. To conduct short course training on hands-on skills for industry technology transfer

Activities

1. Solar cell design, simulation and fabrication
2. Writing proposals for research grants
3. Mentoring of postgraduate students
4. Mounting short course training for industry manpower and smart agriculture
5. Developing methods for sustainability and recycling/repurposing old or used PV modules

Kibet has published more than 110 papers in refereed journals and graduated several postgraduate students including 4 PhD students. He is an Editorial Board member for BMC Chemistry and East African Journal of Innovation Science and Technology.  He is an associate expert, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and has participated in Consultancy various services.

Prof. Kibet holds a PhD in Chemistry from Louisiana State University (USA), a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree in Analytical chemistry from Moi University (Kenya) and a Bachelor of Education Science degree in Chemistry and Physics from Egerton University (Kenya). He is the Associate Dean, Faculty of Science and a Member of the Egerton University Institutional Scientific Ethics and Research Committee (EUISERC). He is also a member of the Directorate of Postgraduate Committee. Prof. Kibet interest is in combustion science, Material science, Renewable energy with experience in Environmental and community outreach. He has attracted grants for perovskite solar cell technology and green initiates for climate smart technologies and training, Relevant publications, postgraduate supervision and other achievements  can be found in the following link: https://www.egerton.ac.ke/eprofile/19656

Dr Oeba is the PI on a UNESCO-TWAS Seed Grant (SG-NAPI) for novel renewable energy materials (2022-2024), co-PI on ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2-Grant by EU (2025-2028), the overall winner of the SEGATE-COMPASS AI/ML Challenge (2024), and a Research Scholar at the University of Michigan’s Center for Complex Particle Systems. Beyond research, Dr. Oeba co-founded the Maji Safi

Duke is a Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Physics at Egerton University, Kenya, with expertise spanning Electronics (analog and digital), Fabrication and Characterization of Solar cells, and machine learning (ML). Duke holds a B.Ed from Egerton University, a M.Sc. in Electronics and Instrumentation from Kenyatta University, and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of South Africa, where he specialized in the synthesis and characterization of silicon materials for energy and sensing applications. Dr. Oeba’s research integrates ML models with sensor technologies and remote sensing data to optimize renewable energy systems and develop predictive tools for agricultural decision-making. His recent work

includes AI-driven crop health diagnostics, climate prediction models, Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) and renewable energy resource optimization frameworks aimed at improving the productivity and resilience of underserved communities.  Dr Oeba is a SPIS Certified Solar Train-the-Trainer (ToT).

UV Water Project, demonstrating his commitment to applying advanced technologies to real-world challenges in underserved communities. Further details can be accessed from the attached linkhttps://www.egerton.ac.ke/eprofile/19591

Dr Tabitha A. Amollo holds a Ph.D. in Physics (condensed matter physics) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.   She is a faculty member of Egerton University, Kenya, where she has served as the chairperson of the Department of Physics (2020-2023) and a board member of the Institute of Women, Gender and Development Studies.  She currently serves as a member of the Egerton University Research Committee and the academic leader of Bachelor of Physics program.  Dr. Amollo’s research interests include nanomaterials and nanotechnology, photovoltaics and plasma technology.  Her research focuses on materials and device engineering for solar energy conversion where she develops materials for next-generation cost-effective devices.  Her research advances thin film deposition and characterization techniques critical to the development of more compact, lightweight, and higher-performing electronic technologies.  She integrates machine learning (ML) techniques in thin film properties optimization and other related work.  She is the head of photovoltaics and materials physics research group at the Department of Physics and materials physics research lab.  With her research outputs, she undertakes community outreach.  She plays significant roles in the science community for example; she is a member of the organizing committees for the African Materials Science Society (AMRS) and the African School of Physics.

Dr. T. Amollo has been a visiting assistant professor at Michigan State University (MSU), US and a Future Africa Research Leader (FAR-LeaF) fellow at University of Pretoria, South Africa.  She is a PI to a number of research grants including The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and Partnership for Innovative Research in Africa (PIRA) for solar energy related projects.  Dr. Amollo is proactive in collaborative scientific research that solves the global energy and related challenges.  She has collaborated in a ‘‘Trust in Science and Science-Related Populism (TIPS),’’ a many labs study hosted at Harvard University.  She has won a beam time at BESSY II synchrotron facility, Germany for the development of energy materials.

Besides, she is passionate about mentorship of students, especially the girlchild, in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  She is the chairperson and cofounder of the women in STEM, Egerton University.  Her other achievements, awards and publications can be found at https://www.egerton.ac.ke/eprofile/19583