The Biggest Problem Nigerians Face When Installing Solar

One of the biggest challenges with installing solar or an inverter in Nigeria isn't finding someone to install it.

It's knowing what you actually need before spending your money.

Questions like "What size inverter do I need?", "How many batteries will I need?", "Can this system power my AC?", and "How much should this setup cost?" come up all the time.

The problem is that there isn't always a straightforward answer.

Two people with seemingly similar houses can have completely different power needs depending on their appliances, how often they use them, and how long they want backup power to last.

Then there is the issue of getting quotations.

You could speak to three installers and receive three completely different recommendations.

One says 3KVA.

Another says 5KVA.

Another recommends a completely different battery setup.

As a customer who isn't familiar with solar systems, how do you know who is actually giving you the right advice?

Then come the other questions.

Is the battery genuine?

Is the inverter suitable for the load?

Are the panels enough?

Is the installation being done properly?

Is the price reasonable?

What happens if something develops a fault six months later?

I've been looking at this problem closely through my work with PowerNexa Solutions, and one thing that stands out is that people are not only buying equipment.

They are making a fairly expensive technical decision, often without having enough information to evaluate the decision themselves.

I think this is one of the less discussed challenges with solar adoption in Nigeria.

For those who have installed an inverter or solar system before, what was your experience like?

What was the hardest part of the process?

Choosing the right system, comparing quotations, finding a trustworthy installer, understanding the equipment, installation, or dealing with problems afterwards?

I'd be interested to hear what others experienced.