As solar energy slowly but gradually moves to become a mainstream alternative energy source in Nigeria, this renewable energy has proven to have swamped several obstacles in its way to emerge as a reliable and cost-effective option for homes, businesses and even the government.

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola has repeatedly declared that alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind and coal need to be developed and utilized to complement existing gas and hydro power sources most of which the country has depended upon for over a century.

Optimistically, this in itself implies that the government of the day’s approach to power generation is not business as usual. In a way, Fashola’s recent statements may also be an admission to the fact that Nigeria’s power sector is currently underutilizing some technologies available to improve its generation and supply capacities.

The Solar Solution

Rightfully stated, the answer or the solution to the current power crisis does not solely lie in one “super-technology” but instead in ensuring that the correct energy mix is adopted, taking into consideration Nigeria’s peculiar circumstances ranging from its geography and climate to its economic and financial status.

All over the world, countries are doing exactly this by putting in place measures that will encourage homes, businesses and even power companies to adopt safe, reliable and viable long-term power generation options. Broadly speaking, the obvious criteria for such energy sources are accessibility, sustainability and cost effectiveness.

Apart from the fact that (on average) there is sunlight for 333 days in Nigeria every year, solar energy ticks all these conditions and not only that, it provides a substantial part to the real solution to what is arguably the biggest problem facing Nigeria today, after insecurity in the North-East and the Niger-Delta regions of course.

Solar Benefits for Nigeria’s Homes and Businesses

Being located in one of the sunniest part of the world, solar power installations in Nigeria can save homeowners and businesses money by reducing their reliance on fuel powered generators and providing uninterrupted power supply with very little maintenance costs.

In 2016, 80% of homeowners and businesses approached by Lagos-based, Nigerian solar installation company, Greenicles Limited www.greenicles.com cited money savings and constant power supply as their main drivers for switching over to solar. Wale Egungbohun, the Regional Sales Manager of Greenicles says that “amongst many other benefits, these two usually stand out as a recurring pair”.


Greenicles Solar Customer Survey (Jan - June 2016)

Other benefits of going solar include reduction of noise pollution, independence from fluctuating fuel prices and reduction of CO2 emissions.

Solar, The New Normal?

Mr. Egungbohun likens the steady emergence of solar panels on rooftops in Nigeria to the advent of GSM phones in the early 2000s. That era marked the dawn of a telecommunications revolution in Africa’s most populous country. Mobile phone lines were outrageously expensive to start with and eventually became very affordable before the end of that decade.

Many forces were instrumental in making that happen. One of which was the often underestimated triad- the relationship between cost, demand and supply. He further adds, “as the global costs of solar panels, storage batteries and other components continue to fall (as we have seen in the past 3 years), it is only a matter of time before there are solar panels on every street in Nigeria”.