Exploring Alternatives to Fuel Generators

Fuel Price Increase: Exploring Alternatives to Fuel Generators

The Nigerian government has ended fuel subsidies, leading to an increase in fuel prices for citizens. The lowest price for fuel without subsidies is N400 per litre, but some filling stations sell for 450 to 500 Naira per litre. Diesel is already deregulated, with consumers paying an average of 800 Naira per litre.  With fuel subsidies gone, Nigerians may need to switch to alternative energy sources, with solar energy being the best option. Solar panels are affordable for all Nigerians, with prices ranging from 200,000 to 9 million Naira depending on the power needs of the household or business. Solar energy is a long-term investment that is more sustainable and less polluting than diesel or fuel generators.

Powering a barbershop with four clippers, a TV, a decoder set, and two lights would cost from 300,000 Naira to 600,000 Naira. Meanwhile, it costs between Naira 600,000 and Naira 1,000,000 to install a solar power system in a small hair salon equipped with two hand dryers, a television, a decoder set, a curling iron, two lighting points, and a tabletop refrigerator To power a small bakery with two mixers, a microwave, and three lighting points from 8 am to 6 pm, it would cost between 2-6 million naira.  Solar energy can power one bedroom with a freezer, four lighting points, a TV, a set of decoders, and two fans at around N1 to N5 million. Meanwhile, a two-bedroom house equipped with a refrigerator, air conditioner, TV and decoder set, microwave, and six lights will cost around 1.5 million to 8 million naira to power with solar energy. On the other hand, powering a three-bedroom apartment house with a freezer, free-standing refrigerator, two air conditioners, eight lights, two TVs, and two sets of decoders requires about NGN 2-9 million.

The solar system can provide power for ten hours, with a guaranteed five hours of power during the day and five hours at night, and a battery warranty for ten years. Note, however, that there are cheaper solar system options with a one-year warranty that can power the same load for ten hours…  Despite the country’s economic outlook, Nigerians should consider solar power systems as a long-term investment. This is because the cost of running diesel and fuel generators for the long term (up to 5 years or more) is similarly high. However, solar power systems are more sustainable over the long term and are less polluting than fuel or diesel