₦airaland Forum

I know this might sound controversial, but let’s be honest. Solar energy is not working for a lot of Nigerians the way they expected.

Before you attack me, I’m not saying solar is bad. In fact, it’s one of the best alternatives to unreliable electricity. But there are real problems people don’t talk about, and it’s causing frustration.
Let’s break it down.

1. The “Set And Forget” Lie
Many people think once they install solar, that’s the end of electricity problems. Reality?
Solar systems require:
• Proper sizing.
• Battery management.
• Occasional maintenance.
If your installer didn’t explain this, you were set up for disappointment.

2. Wrong System Sizing (Big Problem)
This is one of the biggest mistakes.
Someone with:
• 2 ACs.
• Fridge.
• Freezer.
• TV.
• Pump.
…goes ahead to install a small solar setup meant for basic appliances. What happens?
• Batteries drain fast.
• Inverter trips.
• System becomes “useless”.
Then they say: “Solar is a scam.” No, the setup is wrong.

3. Low Quality Components Everywhere
Let’s not lie, Nigeria market get as e be. A lot of people are using:
• Imitated batteries.
• Low-quality inverters.
• Substandard panels.
These things:
• Degrade quickly.
• Overheat.
• Fail within months.
But when it spoils, people blame solar itself.

4. Battery Wahala Nobody Prepared You For
Your solar system is only as strong as your battery. And batteries:
• Are expensive.
• Don’t last forever.
• Lose capacity over time.
After 1–3 years, performance drops. Now imagine replacing batteries that cost hundreds of thousands. That’s where many people start regretting.

5. Weather Reality (Especially Rainy Season)
During heavy rains or cloudy days:
• Charging reduces.
• Backup time drops.
• System struggles.
If your setup wasn’t designed for this, you’ll suffer during rainy season.

6. Bad Installers Are Everywhere
Anybody can now claim: “I install solar.”
• No proper load calculation.
• No system design.
•™No safety consideration.
Just connect wires and collect money. Later, you’re left with:
• Poor performance.
• Fire risks.
• Constant faults.

7. Unrealistic Expectations
Some people expect solar to power:
• AC all night.
• Iron.
• Heater.
• Everything at once
Without spending serious money. Let’s be real, solar is not magic. It’s an investment. And the output depends on how much you invest.

So… Is Solar a Scam? No. But many Nigerians are using:
• The wrong system.
• Installed by the wrong people.
• With the wrong expectations.
That’s the real problem.

Let’s Be Honest
If you’re using solar already:
• Has it met your expectations?
• What challenges are you facing?

And if you’re planning to install:
What are your biggest concerns right now?
Let’s discuss.



https://www.elvistech.ng/product/laptop-power-b/

themanderon:
By the time you burn yourself and your house you will know what's up. Lithium batteries burns with a lot of fire. It's not easily quenched so the choice is yours.

You’re right. Lithium batteries can be dangerous if misused, and that’s why it’s important to know which devices support pass-through charging and to use them responsibly. The advice isn’t to scare anyone, just to help people make informed choices and avoid accidents.

IBB007:
Lol…I think say na only me sha…in fact the only time I really press my phone is when I’m charging it…I no too dey press phone when I’m not charging

Some of us just can’t help it, phones on charge somehow become irresistible. The main thing is just to be aware of how often and for how long, so your battery lasts longer.

Theama:
I did it back then in school, only because I had only one charger adapter(charger head)and two chords...

Buh I think I only did it three times or so...


I think it's high risk stuff(I stand corrected) and I would not recommend it...

I get you. Sometimes we do what we have to with limited resources. And you’re right, it can be risky if the devices or power banks aren’t built for it. That’s why the key is knowing when it’s safe and when it’s better to avoid it.

Guestmale:
Even as I'm typing this , my phone is on plug. It has become habit.

It’s amazing how some habits just stick, especially when we want our phones ready at all times. The key is just being aware of how it affects battery health over time so you don’t run into surprises.

kmaster007:
Nah me dem dey use style to talk too

Lol. 😂
Please, I do hope you've learnt something.

Panda7:
I charge my phone with power bank at night while sleeping and if am going to be busy in the day.

Exactly. That’s a very common and practical way to use a power bank, charging overnight or ahead of a busy day. The main point is just to be mindful of how often and what type of power bank you’re using, so it lasts longer and stays safe.

success1smyn:
Why will I be using my power bank while charging? I will charge the phone first na


Modified

Like most here don't understand the op. Using power bank to charge your phone while charging the power bank don't even make sense.

Exactly. For many, it doesn’t make sense if you have constant electricity. The point I was highlighting is mainly for situations where people don’t have steady power and rely on their power bank during outages. That’s when pass-through charging can become convenient, even if it’s not ideal for battery longevity.

qleap2all:
How do you know that most people did that?
Most phone related faults is as a result of constant charging.
As for me o, I don't use powerbank while being charged.
Those doing that are illiterates or uneducated fellows!
#Ignorance is a disease

I get what you’re saying. Constant charging can indeed affect battery life, and not everyone should attempt pass-through charging. The post isn’t to label anyone, it’s just to share awareness about situations where some people might find it necessary, like during power outages or lack of steady electricity. It’s more about being informed than calling anyone ignorant.

Xpol:
All the power Banks I've used , you can't charge your phone when the power Banks are on charge,

Light is not a problem here though but I still use power bank.

Exactly. Not all power banks support pass-through charging, and it really depends on the model. Some allow it safely, others don’t. That’s why it’s important to know your device before trying it, even if light or electricity isn’t a problem.

Lanretoye:
Don’t just come back and tell me that the power bank I bought for you did not last.

Lol, 😂 noted. I’ll make sure to use it wisely, or at least not blame the power bank if it ever gives up. 😅

MostLoyalMan:
Thank you for this insight.

You're welcome. I'm glad you learnt something.

Malagans:
But there's always light at the end of the tunnel

Absolutely. Even with all the charging habits and NEPA wahala, there’s always a way to manage things smartly and keep our devices going. Just a little awareness goes a long way.

SmallDick99:
I have never heard or seen anyone using a power bank while it's charging.

Thing know it was a thing

Yes, it’s not very common, but some people do it, especially during power outages or when they don’t have access to constant electricity. That’s why it’s called pass-through charging, charging the power bank while it charges another device.

Kalulu44:
Majority of things they said don't do when it comes to electronics and even fuel, I have done most of them repeatedly over the years without any consequences.
.
1. Put off your car/bus engine when buying fuel. As a former commercial bus driver and Uber driver of over 20yrs. They're many times my ignition or battery can't start except you push the vehicle, so when buying fuel at a filling station, I 70% of the time leave my engine running while buying fuel.
Some filling stations demand under most you put off your engine. But majority of the time I leave it on and nothing has ever happened and I haven't heard any fuel stations got blown up bcus of it in my 20yrs of driving.
.
2. Don't make calls while at the filling station.
This I have done too many times without any consequences.
.
3. Don't press phone while charging.
Mtcheew.... My phone will be 100% charged and I won't removed it from the charger and will still be pressing it till when either they take light or I leave the house.
When I was still driving, all the phones I used suffered in my hands when it comes to charging. While on the road, I am charging them in my bus. At home same thing. Infact when I have closed from work, after freshening up and eating, if there's no light, off to my bus to continue charging and pressing. I hate seeing my phone on 70% below. And still those phones last very well for me.
The one I am using currently, 2 months from now it will be a year I bought it. I have suffocate it with charging and it's still serving me well.
So most of this don't do doesn't work at times to me.

Wow, thanks for sharing your experience. This too shows how devices can be surprisingly resilient.
The main point I was trying to highlight is more about risk management than guaranteed failure. Some power banks or phones may handle repeated use while charging, but others, especially lower-quality ones can overheat or degrade faster. So the advice isn’t that using them this way will always cause problems, but that being mindful can help extend battery life and avoid surprises.

CaptainFM1:
Should I also not use my TV while my solar battery installation is charging?

Not necessary. Using your TV while your solar battery is charging is usually fine, as long as the battery and inverter are designed to handle the load. The main caution is with pass-through charging of power banks, which can stress some batteries if they aren’t built for it.

reddingtonblack:
BRO i dont get or should i say Your sample choice is WRONG

To charge a power bank it means you have power supply ...why will you be charging your power bank n still be using it to charge your phone ... Dats illogical

Why not just use your phone charger ... that way both is charging and more battery life if Light goes off

Hi. I see your point, it does make sense if you have a steady power supply. The example is mainly for situations where people don’t have constant electricity and rely on a power bank during outages. In those cases, pass-through charging can be convenient, even if it’s not ideal for battery health. The key is knowing when it makes sense and when it doesn’t.

mariovito:
I'm not sure some people above understand what the OP is talking about.

Pass through charging, charging your phone with a power bank while the power bank is charging is different from using your phone while it's charging from the mains or a socket

Exactly. Thanks for clarifying, pass-through charging is different from just using your phone while it’s plugged into a socket. That’s why some of the concerns around battery wear are specific to power banks designed (or not designed) for pass-through.

Blizzy300:
Hey
It's actually good to use your laptop while it's charging
It's health for lithium battery
Do your research

Hi. You’re right, using a laptop while charging is generally fine, especially with modern lithium batteries. The discussion here is more about pass-through charging with power banks, which can be different depending on the device and quality of the power bank.

Treasure17:
I don't do that. Will rather plug the phone directly with the source.

That's the best method.

Aile:
I dey even dey use am like this so

Lol, but please don't use it all the time.
I understand, it's done to save battery.

kad199:
Although i dont live in Nigeria, i still use my while charging. After all i dont intend on using the phone forever.

I get you. At the end of the day, we all want our devices to last as long as possible.

5KLEAR:
No time to wait , we are always in hurry

Absolutely, I understand. Life in a hurry sometimes leaves no choice. We just have to be mindful when we can, and choose the right moments to charge properly.
It saves your battery in the long run.

If you’ve ever plugged your power bank into the wall while it’s also charging your phone, you’ve used something called pass-through charging.

Simple Definition: It means your power bank is charging and discharging at the same time.

Sounds convenient, right? So why do some manufacturers deliberately disable it?
Let’s break it down.

1. Heat Is The Silent Enemy
When a power bank is receiving power and sending power out at the same time, it generates extra heat.
And heat is not just a small issue:
• It reduces battery lifespan.
• It can damage internal components.
• In extreme cases, it becomes a safety risk.
Some manufacturers would rather remove the feature entirely than risk overheating.

2. Battery Degradation Happens Faster
Lithium-ion batteries (what most power banks use) don’t like stress.
Pass-through charging creates a constant cycle of:
• Charging.
• Discharging.
• Charging again.
This “double work” accelerates battery wear and tear. So disabling pass-through = longer battery life.

3. Safety Over Convenience
Good manufacturers design products based on worst case scenarios, not best case usage.
Think about it:
• Poor electricity supply.
• Voltage fluctuations.
• Cheap cables or adapters.
Now combine that with pass-through charging.
That’s a recipe for instability.

So instead of risking:
• Overcurrent.
• Overheating.
• Battery swelling.
They simply disable the feature.

4. Better Power Management
Without pass-through, the power bank can:
• Focus on charging properly.
• Regulate voltage efficiently.
• Protect internal circuits.
With pass-through, it has to “split attention,” which reduces overall efficiency and control.

The Truth Most People Don’t Know
Many people assume:
“If a power bank doesn’t support pass-through, it’s low quality.” In reality, it’s often the opposite.

It means the manufacturer chose: • Durability over short-term convenience.
• Safety over risky flexibility.


Not every missing feature is a flaw. Sometimes, it’s a design decision made to protect you. So the next time your power bank refuses to charge your phone while plugged in, it might just be doing its job.

If you’ve been using pass-through regularly, no panic. But it’s worth knowing what’s happening behind the scenes.



https://www.elvistech.ng/product/laptop-power-b/

SixSeven:
Former VP used power bank.

Minister of power used power bank.

Seyi Tinubu used power bank in Aso Rock.

Bola Tinubu responded by removing the villa from national grid. Mmmm

Hmmmm...if even the former VP, the Minister of Power, and Seyi Tinubu need power banks, then we certainly have no shame using ours anywhere. Clearly, NEPA’s issues spare no one, even Aso Rock.

Benlight:
If you are at home and you charged to 100%, unplug and use your phone and then your battery drops to 80% when NEPA carry light, e dey pain say you just wasted potential 20% of re entering 100% back.

Lol... That 20% loss really dey pain, especially when NEPA decides to bless us with light for just a few minutes. That’s why managing charging smartly becomes almost an art in Nigeria.

Kingsasian:
I have an inverter installed in my apartment it took me some time to stop charging while using my phone or laptop. For the past 3 months my wife and I have stopped that habit and wet don'tgo about with our chargers. We only charge our devices once a day.

Wow! I have to respect that! It really takes discipline to break that habit, even with an inverter or generator. Sticking to charging your devices once a day is smart, it helps prolong battery life and avoid unnecessary wear.

Jakarta:
E better make you carry me go prison until my phone battery charge full, than to not use my phone while charging it.

Ohh Chim! 😂 Na so e be! Better make dem carry me go prison than make my phone die for hand. Some habits, e hard to break, even with 24/7 power!

SpencerForbes:
Even with 24/7 power guaranteed between my heavy-duty generator and solar setup, I still find myself 'pressing' phone while it’s plugged in. 😂 I guess old habits die hard! I just can't stop.

Hahaha. 😂 I feel you! Even with steady power, some habits are just too hard to break. Pass-through charging has become like a reflex at this point.

“Everyone Says Don’t Do It… But In Nigeria, Do We Really Have A Choice?”

You’ve probably heard people say: “Never use your power bank while it’s charging.”

But in this country, with the kind of power situation we face… is that even practical?

Let’s be real. Sometimes, pass-through charging is not just convenient, it actually makes sense.

Here are a few situations where it’s reasonable:

1. During Long Power Outages
NEPA just brought light and you don’t know when it’ll go again. You plug your power bank and still need to use your phone. In that moment, you’re trying to maximize the opportunity.


2. When You’re Low On Options
Maybe you have just one socket, or you’re outside with limited access to power. You don’t really have the luxury of charging things one after the other.


3. If You’re Using Low-Power Devices
Charging something like earbuds or a small phone is less stressful on the power bank compared to heavy devices.


4. If Your Power Bank Actually Supports It
Some modern power banks are built for pass-through charging. The problem is, many people don’t even know if theirs does.

---

But here’s where it gets tricky…

Just because it makes sense doesn’t mean it’s always safe. Some power banks will overheat, slow down, or even degrade faster if you keep doing it regularly.

So it’s really about when and how often, not just if.

---

Let’s hear from you:

Do you use your power bank while it’s charging?

Has it ever caused any issue for you, or everything has been working fine?

Be honest. 😄


https://www.elvistech.ng/product/laptop-power-b/

Many people believe that once a device has a solar panel input, it means it will charge quickly under the sun. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of solar powered devices is solar input limitation.
Let’s break it down in a simple way.

1. What Solar Input Limitation Means
Solar input limitation simply refers to the maximum amount of power a device can accept from a solar panel.
For example, a solar generator may support only 60W solar input. Even if you connect a 200W solar panel, the device will still take only 60W.
The remaining power is simply unused.

2. Why Manufacturers Set Solar Input Limits
Manufacturers intentionally limit solar input to protect the device’s internal components.
High solar input can:
• Overheat charging circuits.
• Damage batteries.
• Reduce device lifespan.
By limiting input, they ensure the device charges safely and efficiently.

3. Weather And Sunlight Also Affect Solar Charging
Solar charging also depends heavily on sunlight conditions.
Things that reduce solar efficiency include:
• Cloudy weather.
• Dust on solar panels.
• Panel angle.
• Shade.
• High temperatures.
Even a 100W panel might produce only 40–70W in realblife conditions.

4. Not All Solar Panels Work With Every Device
Another limitation many people overlook is voltage compatibility.
If a solar panel’s voltage is higher than what the device accepts, the device may:
• Refuse to charge.
• Charge inefficiently.
• Shut down charging completely.
That’s why checking voltage range and wattage compatibility is very important.

5. Why This Matters Before Buying Solar Devices
Understanding solar input limitations helps you:
• Avoid wasting money on oversized solar panels.
• Choose the right solar setup.
• Improve charging efficiency.
• Protect your power station or power bank.
Many people buy large panels expecting faster charging, only to discover the device cannot accept that much power.


Solar charging is a great feature, but it works best when you understand its technical limits.
Before buying a solar generator or solar compatible power bank, always check:
• Maximum solar input (W).
• Supported voltage range (V).
• Recommended solar panel size.
Understanding these small details can save you money, time, and frustration.




https://www.elvistech.ng/product/laptop-power-b/

bestman09:
Here to learn.
This is very normal practice for many people

Yes, it actually is.
Thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate.