₦airaland Forum

One of the biggest mistakes people make when going solar is skipping the math. I’ve lost count of how many stories I’ve heard of someone proudly installing their panels and batteries, only to find out a week later that the “system” can barely keep up with their load.

So, what is the secret i'm talking about this evening? Load Audit.

The truth is, load calculation isn’t some fancy engineering calculation. It’s just knowing how much power your appliances really consume and matching that with the size of your solar system. For instance, a small LED bulb might sip just 10 watts, while a standing fan takes 75–120 watts. Add a freezer (200–400 watts when running, more at startup), and suddenly your 2kVA inverter with two tubular batteries is struggling.

Without this calculation, you will fall into either of two traps. Either you overspend on a big system that you don’t fully use, or you underspend and end up with something that can’t serve you. The latter is more likely tho.

Both ways, regret is guaranteed. And here’s the kicker: even the so-called “solar installers” sometimes inflate or miscalculate loads just to sell equipment, leaving you to discover the hard way. Not us tho...reach out using the contact in the siggy.

Honestly, load calculation should be the first conversation before buying even a single panel. It saves money, frustration, and that awkward moment when you realize your solar system is only good for lighting the compound and charging phones.

So let’s be real, did you calculate your load before buying solar, or did you just buy what the installer suggested? And if you skipped it, how badly did it burn you?

I regretted buying solar controller....the sh!t no dey charge my battery 🔋....
In fact I have switched to charging my battery using normal battery charger

I spent around 500k switching to BAND A early last year, I average around 50k for electricity bill. A friend called it reckless spending, that solar is the way. He spent around 3m installing solar, loaded batteries on his corridor like CNG tanks on Dangote trailer. He dares not power on his refrigerator, water heater, or hot plate. As it stands his batteries and solar panels are currently for sale. I"m yet to spend 2.5M even after a year+ Nothing beats Band A.

He was probably scammed or ill informed as the first post pointed. I used to do 30k electricity bill on band A. Invested about 1.5m on solar and I've been completely off grid for over 3 months now.
24 hours of light and I'm sure if national grid collapse again I won't be affected.

Just plan your solar journey well

Jakarta:
I spent around 500k switching to BAND A early last year, I average around 50k for electricity bill. A friend called it reckless spending, that solar is the way. He spent around 3m installing solar, loaded batteries on his corridor like CNG tanks on Dangote trailer. He dares not power on his refrigerator, water heater, or hot plate. As it stands his batteries and solar panels are currently for sale. I"m yet to spend 2.5M even after a year+ Nothing beats Band A.

Jakarta:
I spent around 500k switching to BAND A early last year, I average around 50k for electricity bill. A friend called it reckless spending, that solar is the way. He spent around 3m installing solar, loaded batteries on his corridor like CNG tanks on Dangote trailer. He dares not power on his refrigerator, water heater, or hot plate. As it stands his batteries and solar panels are currently for sale. I"m yet to spend 2.5M even after a year+ Nothing beats Band A.

How did you switch to band A? I thought people just use the Band associated with the area they live?

lilachiever:
How did you switch to band A? I thought people just use the Band associated with the area they live?

The prevalent band in my area is band D. Private individuals bought electric poles recline cables spanning kilometres, and transformers, to bring in band A to the area. If you as a resident wants to switch to that band, you pay them, by your recline cables and meter. It's a huge business in my area currently.

Tailorcaesar:
I regretted buying solar controller....the sh!t no dey charge my battery 🔋....
In fact I have switched to charging my battery using normal battery charger

What do you mean by solar controller? I mean, I know what it is, but I don't understand the context in which you're using it. Are you sure you have the right setup?

Primistine:
One of the biggest mistakes people make when going solar is skipping the math. I’ve lost count of how many stories I’ve heard of someone proudly installing their panels and batteries, only to find out a week later that the “system” can barely keep up with their load.

So, what is the secret i'm talking about this evening? Load Audit.

The truth is, load calculation isn’t some fancy engineering calculation. It’s just knowing how much power your appliances really consume and matching that with the size of your solar system. For instance, a small LED bulb might sip just 10 watts, while a standing fan takes 75–120 watts. Add a freezer (200–400 watts when running, more at startup), and suddenly your 2kVA inverter with two tubular batteries is struggling.

Without this calculation, you will fall into either of two traps. Either you overspend on a big system that you don’t fully use, or you underspend and end up with something that can’t serve you. The latter is more likely tho.

Both ways, regret is guaranteed. And here’s the kicker: even the so-called “solar installers” sometimes inflate or miscalculate loads just to sell equipment, leaving you to discover the hard way. Not us tho...reach out using the contact in the siggy.

Honestly, load calculation should be the first conversation before buying even a single panel. It saves money, frustration, and that awkward moment when you realize your solar system is only good for lighting the compound and charging phones.

So let’s be real, did you calculate your load before buying solar, or did you just buy what the installer suggested? And if you skipped it, how badly did it burn you?

I was thinking to get this to jus power my smart TV and decoder and jus a fan..any suggestions?

Tailorcaesar:
I regretted buying solar controller....the sh!t no dey charge my battery 🔋....
In fact I have switched to charging my battery using normal battery charger

Hello, that's sad to hear. Can you share your setup and what you're powering? Most regrets with solar often come from a mismatch between solar system setup and load.

Primistine Electric is honestly here for you.

Jakarta:
I spent around 500k switching to BAND A early last year, I average around 50k for electricity bill. A friend called it reckless spending, that solar is the way. He spent around 3m installing solar, loaded batteries on his corridor like CNG tanks on Dangote trailer. He dares not power on his refrigerator, water heater, or hot plate. As it stands his batteries and solar panels are currently for sale. I"m yet to spend 2.5M even after a year+ Nothing beats Band A.

Anybody that can afford to switch to band A should definitely do so. Nothing beats the peace of mind. In fact, i often tell my clients to do so if they're not ready to go for the kind of solar system that can conveniently carry their load. I no won dey hear, "that stupid engineer did rubbish solar for me". As for your friends case, i guess the installer never did a load audit, cos if he did, he woud have known exactly what he could power and for how long. If you're ever going solar, reach out to us at Primistine Electric. A load audit and honest evaluation is the start of any of our installations for clients.

Primistine:
Hello, that's sad to hear. Can you share your setup and what you're powering? Most regrets with solar often come from a mismatch between solar system setup and load.

Primistine Electric is honestly here for you.

Am only using it to power the 3 bulbs 💡 in my tailor shop
The battery am using is two 12V 38Ah batteries connected in parallel coupled with a 500watts inverter and a 250watts solar panel.
As for the solar controller out of heartbreak I threw it away and I have solely depend on my battery charger

flames007:
What do you mean by solar controller? I mean, I know what it is, but I don't understand the context in which you're using it. Are you sure you have the right setup?

Initially the solar panel was connected to the solar controller and the a battery is connected to the controller to via a switch where they drew battery 🔋

KingMack:
I was thinking to get this to jus power my smart TV and decoder and jus a fan..any suggestions?

That's a Hithium 1KW Solar Power Station. You're perfectly safe with that amount of load.

KingMack:
I was thinking to get this to jus power my smart TV and decoder and jus a fan..any suggestions?

This is what am currently using as for the solar controller I don use ves put am for dustbin

KingMack:
I was thinking to get this to jus power my smart TV and decoder and jus a fan..any suggestions?

Nwanne please how much be dis one

KingMack:
I was thinking to get this to jus power my smart TV and decoder and jus a fan..any suggestions?

I have an ecoflow delta 2 unit available for less than the price on jumia

Jakarta:
The prevalent band in my area is band D. Private individuals bought electric poles recline cables spanning kilometres, and transformers, to bring in band A to the area. If you as a resident wants to switch to that band, you pay them, by your recline cables and meter. It's a huge business in my area currently.

hahaha
People are running from band a, but you are running to it.

Tailorcaesar:
Nwanne please how much be dis one

270

Tailorcaesar:
This is what am currently using as for the solar controller I don use ves put am for dustbin

And e dey work follow road for you?

frugal:
hahaha
People are running from band a, but you are running to it.

If you can afford it, it remains the best at least for the now. I'm guaranteed of at least 18 hours electricity daily, except when there is a grid collapse.

Jakarta:
The prevalent band in my area is band D. Private individuals bought electric poles recline cables spanning kilometres, and transformers, to bring in band A to the area. If you as a resident wants to switch to that band, you pay them, by your recline cables and meter. It's a huge business in my area currently.

Oh. I guess this is what they are trying to do in my area. Makes sense.

Interesting

gsparks01:
I have an ecoflow delta 2 unit available for less than the price on jumia

How much are you looking for?

BarrElChapo:
How much are you looking for?

650