22/03/2026
My Solar Journey
I had always wanted to go solar especially at my business space (I run a mini internet Café that serves the public) but the immediate cost had been a barrier.
When fuel + generator maintenance and other associated nuisance stared me in the face with insolence, I knew it was time.
I beat the financial constraint by installing a mini-solar system.
Ths consisted of a 2.5kVA pure sine wave inverter (made in Nigeria, by my friend), and two 200A dry cell batteries.
I would run my generator for an hour to charge the batteries. This would give me over 5hrs of power. If EEDC came with theirs, it is stored in the batteries as well.
I ran this setup for a year and saved up to add 6 380W solar panels + a 40A charge controller, circuit breaker, 6mm solar cables and other accessories to go fully solar-powered.
Fast forward 3 years now, sold my generator and we now rely on solar system and the collapsible National Grid when it decides to be turgid.
At home, where I only consider a sleeping area 😆, I got a 1.2kVA solar generator (also built by this elecrical engineering friend of mine) plus 2 200W solar panels.
With this, I usually get between 7pm till 12am of steady power to take our then 32-inch TV, ceiling fan and all lighting and charging sockets. During the day, this setup powers our small freezer, the TV, ceiling fans and a blender, if my wife wants to use it.
As I have always maintained, solar is affordable if you can install NOT ACCORDING TO YOUR TASTE, but ACCORDING TO YOUR POCKETS.
Did I mention that the home setup can run 8 hrs in the daytime too?
I made sure most appliances I needed are solar-compliant. The pressing iron, the ceiling fans, and lighting are energy friendly.
I plan to upgrade too. As the saying goes, mouth wey don dey chop don commit o!
