Epileptic power supply pushes more Nigerians to solar systems

More Nigerians are subscribing to alternative energy sources such as solar to power their homes as a result of the persistent power outages,

Investigation by The Guardian shows that solar system adoption is becoming a common sight in several Nigerian homes, commercial outlets, and the adaptability has increased due to the influx of second-hand panels into the markets. The current foreign exchange rate has slightly affected the prices of most of the equipment being used in installations. Prices of panels, batteries, solar charging controllers, and inverters that were affordable last year have almost doubled due to rising exchange rate.

However, many Nigerians are seeing solar systems as a reliable alternative to the increasing cost of diesel and petrol to power generators. Those working from home for their different establishments find it as a reliable alternative to the public power supply, as well as cost-effective.

Solar radiation being abundantly present in Nigeria is one area of focus among renewable energy resources. Nigeria receives an average solar radiation of about 7.0kWh/m2-day (25.2MJ/m2-day) in the far north and about 3.5kWh/m2-day (12.6MJ/m2-day) in the coastal latitudes. The various energy centres are making giant strides in the production of solar energy technologies for the direct harnessing of solar energy since the country is situated in the high solar radiation belt of the world.

Energy research centres are also making intensive efforts to popularise the applications of these devices to become household commodities. Some state governments, in collaboration with non-governmental agencies, have sponsored some solar energy projects in some rural communities, drive water, and small-scale industrial projects.

P.A. Ilenikhena and LI.N. Ezemonye of the University of Benin, in their paper on ‘Solar Energy Applications in Nigeria,’ stated that effective harnessing of solar radiation using solar energy technologies to augment energy supply from fossil fuel energy resources (using cleaner fossil fuel technologies) would enhance the availability of energy for socio-economic activities and to improve the standard of livelihood of the people.

“Renewable energy, particularly solar, holds the potential to support the growth and development of industries in the country. By generating electricity that adequately powers homes and industries, renewable energy could facilitate the industrialisation process by cutting costs, creating jobs, increasing productivity, and promoting sustainable development,” they said.

The Guardian’s visit to the dealers at the Alaba International Market revealed that not only property owners have adopted the solar energy system, but tenants, and hotel owners are also utilising the opportunity. The dealers revealed that the solar energy system requirements include installation accessories such as DC cable for the panel, DC surge protector, AC and DC breaker for high voltage.

It was gathered that the Canadian mono solar panel 300W 24V cost between N65,000 and N260,000, while Tubular or Dry cell batteries hover between N290,000 to N350,000 and 2.5KVA inverters cost N270,000, while 3.5KVA inverters are sold for N360,000, depending on the brand.

Also, the faster charger controllers known as MPPT 80A cost N220, 000; 100A (N270, 000), while the slower charger controllers PWM 60A cost N45, 000; 80A (N70, 000); Also, 50A controllers are sold N37, 000; 40A – N26, 000; 30A – N17, 000, and 20A – N8, 000.

According to the dealers, a room apartment will need two 12V batteries and four solar panels of 300W, a 2.5KVA 24V inverter, 60Amps charge controller, and the installation will cost about N1.5 million. It will power a television, fan, lighting point and refrigerator; while a mini apartment will need two 12V batteries, six solar panels of 300W, a 2.5/3.5KVA 24V inverter 60A charge controller, and cost about N1.5 million.

A manager at the Don Chideson Electrical and Solar World, Alaba International Market, Lagos, Joshua Okonkwo, said the demand for solar energy systems is high due to power outages in the country.

He said: “Solar system has taken over and there is competition among dealers and importers in solar energy. As it stands now, the demand is high because there is minimal electricity supply in different parts of the country and people can no longer afford to buy fuel for generators.”

Joshua explained that the solar panel converts sunlight into electricity to charge the battery, the battery thus supplies power once fully charged.

According to him, the battery and the inverter is what supply power. The battery can also be charged with either a generator or the electricity power and without these sources, the solar panels can be used for over 30 years.

Another dealer at the Abuja International Building Materials Market, Dei-Dei, Abuja, Onuorah Okwudili, told The Guardian that the adoption of solar energy systems by households is high in the North due to power outages, adding that the advancement in solar technology has made it more popular, economical and less expensive compared to other energy sources.

According to Okwudili, the factors that contribute to the cost of solar installation are the cumulative load to be powered, the capacity of the inverter and the number of batteries, stating that the higher the load, the higher the cost of equipment and installation.

A Lagos resident, Dr Michael Arapatile, said that he started using the solar system in his mini-flat apartment to power a fan, television, and lighting points, in January 2024 due to severe heat rashes caused by the power outage.

According to him, solar energy is affordable compared to the public electricity supply as he spent N290,000 to purchase solar energy and vends N3,000 weekly.