As Nigeria and other African nations face persistent energy shortages, solar power is seen as a viable solution for homeowners seeking reliable, sustainable energy.
The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) reported in Q1 2025 that Nigeria added 63.5 MWp of solar capacity in 2024, with the total reaching 385.7 MWp, ranking fourth in Africa for solar adoption.
Recently, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved N10 billion for the solar power grid to power the presidential villa.
However, installing solar panels is a significant investment that requires careful planning. To ensure optimal performance and financial returns, homeowners must ask these six critical questions before proceeding.
1. What are my energy needs?
Understanding your household’s energy consumption is the first step in designing an effective solar system.
Calculating average energy usage from past electricity bills helps determine the number of solar panels required, and you should also consider future changes to your energy consumption, such as the addition of new appliances or expansions in your home or office.
For instance, an average Nigerian household consumes approximately 9.5 kWh per day, though this varies based on location and appliance usage. In urban areas like Lagos, households with heavy appliances may need a 5kW system, while rural homes with basic needs might require only 1kW.
To assess energy needs accurately, conduct an energy audit.
An energy audit, performed by a professional installer, to evaluate daily consumption patterns and anticipate future needs, such as adding air conditioners or electric vehicles.
In addition, oversizing the system slightly can accommodate future increases in energy demand, ensuring long-term viability.
Homeowners should request a detailed breakdown of their energy profile from installers to align system size with consumption goals.
2. Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
The structural integrity and orientation of your roof impact solar panel performance.
A roof needs to support the weight of solar panels, which typically averages around 20 kg per 340-watt panel. A standard 3kW solar system often requires approximately 10 panels, resulting in a total weight of about 200 kg, according to Nigerian Tech Journal
Roof orientation is equally critical.
For instance, in South Africa, solar panels will need to be oriented northwards at an angle of 25 to 35 degrees for maximum energy.
It’s also really important that your solar panels are not in places that create shadows, like shades from trees or nearby buildings, as this will drastically impact energy storage.
Installers should provide a computer-simulated shading analysis. If the roof is unsuitable due to age, shading, or structural issues, ground-mounted systems or community solar arrays offer viable alternatives.
3. What type of solar equipment should I choose?
Selecting high-quality solar panels, inverters, and batteries is crucial for system longevity and efficiency.
Monocrystalline panels, with efficiencies of 15–22%, making them ideal for installations with limited space.
These panels perform better in warm weather compared to other types and have the longest lifespan, often coming with warranties of 25 years or more.
Polycrystalline panels, with efficiency typically ranging from 13-16%, are slightly lower than monocrystalline options. The manufacturing process for polycrystalline panels is simpler and creates less waste, resulting in a more affordable product.
Thin-film solar panels, with rates typically between 10% and 13%, are lightweight, flexible, and less affected by high temperatures, making them the least efficient of the four types.
However, their flexibility makes them suitable for certain applications where rigid panels wouldn’t work, such as curved surfaces or portable solar chargers.
For instance, heterojunction solar panels are considered the newest innovations in solar panel design, offering high efficiency rates, often exceeding 20%, while performing better in high-temperature environments than traditional monocrystalline panels.
Meanwhile, inverters and batteries also require scrutiny.
In Nigeria, inverter prices range depending on brand and capacity.
Lithium-ion batteries, preferred for their longer lifespan and efficiency, cost between N500,000 and N1 million compared to lead-acid batteries.
However, homeowners are expected to verify the reputation of equipment brands and ensure warranties cover panels for 25 years, inverters for 10–15 years, and batteries for 5–15 years.
4. What are the costs and financial incentives?
The upfront cost of solar systems in Nigeria remains a significant barrier.
Residential systems of solar energy is estimated at the cost of N2 million to N5 million, depending on size and battery capacity, and Commercial Solar Systems cost N10 million to N50 million (for larger operations).
Installation, labor, and permits add to the expense, but costs have decreased by over 20% in the past five years due to improved technology and local availability.
Government incentives can offset these costs.
Additionally, net metering allows homeowners to sell excess energy back to the grid, providing further savings.
5. Who will install the system, and are they qualified?
The quality of installation directly affects the system’s performance and safety.
In Nigeria, look for installers certified by the Council for Renewable Energy Nigeria (CREN) or the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN).
Industry experts recommend choosing installers accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Homeowners can also request references from previous projects and check online reviews to verify the installer’s reputation.
A qualified installer should be able to provide a detailed timeline, typically one to three days for installation, and a two-month process from contract to system activation.
6. What maintenance and monitoring are required?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance but are not maintenance-free.
Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on your solar panels, reducing their efficiency. In Nigeria, where dust and rainfall can affect panel surfaces, cleaning them is vital.
Therefore, manual cleaning is recommended in dust-prone regions.
Inverters and batteries, subject to wear and tear, require periodic checks to ensure optimal performance.
Monitoring systems, such as SolarEdge or VictronConnect, allow homeowners to track energy production in real time.
Ask installers about monitoring tools and maintenance plans to ensure long-term system reliability.
Additionally, clarify procedures for handling panel damage or underperformance, including warranty claims for manufacturing defects or storm-related damage.
By asking these six questions, homeowners can make informed decisions about solar panel installation.
Partnering with trusted providers and leveraging government incentives will maximize the benefits of solar energy, offering a sustainable solution to energy challenges.
