5 Big Mistakes Nigerians Make When Buying Solar – How to Avoid Them

For instance: If your fridge uses 150W for 8 hours/day = 1,200Wh or 1.2kWh/day.

Without this step, you’ll either:

• Overpay for an oversized system, or

• Under-buy and your batteries will always run down.

Mistake 2: Choosing the Cheapest Installer or Vendor

It’s tempting to go for the “guy that charges ₦50K less” on Jiji or Instagram, but solar is not a plug-and-play product. If installed wrong, you risk fire hazards, damaged batteries, or total system failure within a few months.

The Fix:

• Choose certified installers who offer warranties and post-installation support.

• Ask for previous projects and references.

• Read reviews or check Google Business listings.

A bad install today can cost you ₦300K–₦1M in replacement costs within 6–12 months.

Mistake 3: Mixing Incompatible Components

Many Nigerians piece together solar parts from different brands—panels from one vendor, batteries from another, inverter from a third—without checking compatibility.

This often leads to:

• Lower efficiency

• System errors and shutdowns

• Reduced lifespan of batteries and inverters

The Fix:

• Buy all components as a complete kit from a trusted dealer.

• Use an MPPT charge controller that matches both your panel and battery specs.

• Avoid overloading your inverter by using a proper load calculator.

Think of your solar setup like a car engine—everything must work together.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Battery Quality and Sizing

Batteries are the most expensive part of your system and the first to fail if you get them wrong. Many people buy the cheapest lead-acid batteries without knowing they:

• Need regular maintenance

• Can’t go below 50% discharge

• Die fast if overloaded or overheated

The Fix:

• Use lithium batteries if your budget allows (10+ year lifespan).

• For lead-acid, go for trusted brands like Tubular, Luminous, or Ritar.

• Make sure your battery bank matches your inverter and load.

2 x 200Ah batteries ≠ enough for full-day usage unless paired with proper panel input.

Mistake 5: Not Planning for the Rainy Season or Future Growth

Many people install just enough to power their current needs in the dry season, but forget that solar production drops 30–60% during heavy rains or harmattan haze.

Also, they don’t plan ahead: what happens if you buy an extra fridge or A/C in 6 months?

The Fix:

• Add at least 20–30% buffer when calculating panel wattage.

• Leave space for adding more panels and batteries in the future.

• Choose an inverter that can scale (e.g., from 3kVA to 5kVA).

Always think 12–24 months ahead when sizing your system.

Note: Ask These Questions Before You Buy

1. What’s the panel wattage and voltage?

2. Are these batteries deep-cycle and compatible?

3. What’s the efficiency rating of the inverter?

4. Is the installer giving me a warranty and support?

5. What’s the backup runtime on a full charge?