Oil & Energy
Electricity Crisis: Expert Warns Nigerians Against Solar Failures
Amid the electricity crisis in Nigeria, a solar energy expert and advocate, Yakubu Yunusa, has raised alarm over the growing number of failed solar power systems.
He noted that in recent years, Nigerians desperate to escape the erratic national grid, have poured millions of naira into solar systems that collapsed within months, leaving them frustrated and mistrustful of renewable energy.
In an interview with newsmen, Yanusu blamed the trend on avoidable mistakes by both solar users and installers.
He expressed regret that while solar technology has the potential to ease Nigeria’s electricity crisis, many households and businesses are falling victim to poor planning, substandard products, and unqualified workmanship.
According to him, in recent years, Nigerians, desperate to escape the erratic national grid, have poured millions of naira into solar systems that collapsed within months, leaving them frustrated and mistrustful of renewable energy.
“I have visited homes where brand-new solar panels were proudly mounted on rooftops—yet the occupants still endured frequent power outages. I have spoken with people who invested their life savings into solar systems, only to have them fail within months”, Yunusa said.
The solar energy expert said he receives daily complaints from stranded customers through his social media pages, some of who live with dangerously exposed wirings that pose fire risks.
“The problem has never been that solar technology doesn’t work. The real issues are poor planning, the use of substandard materials, and unqualified workmanship”, he stressed.
Yanusu, who has been active in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector for years, insisted that most failures are preventable.
Highlighting the five common errors responsible for the collapse of many solar systems, Yanusu said “skipping power audits and proper design: Many Nigerians simply copy a neighbour’s solar setup without professional audits, leading to undersized or oversized systems”, as.he said.
He recalled a client who spent ?1.5 million on a 1KVA off-grid system that drained within hours because it was not designed to fit the household’s needs as his appliances consumed more than the neighbour he copied.
Yunusa added, “Choosing price over quality: The market is flooded with cheap, uncertified batteries and inverters that fail within months. One client’s low-cost battery pack died in six months and cost more to replace than buying a standard product upfront.
“Using unqualified installers and DIY shortcuts: Many so-called installers only know how to mount panels on rooftops without understanding configuration or energy design.
“Watching YouTube videos or attending a one-day seminar cannot replace years of training and field experience.
“Poor orientation and energy mismanagement: Many customers wrongly believe solar guarantees 24-hour power regardless of use. Heavy appliances must be managed and maintenance is non-negotiable. Prevention is always better than cure.
“Neglecting maintenance and after-sales service: dust, corroded connectors, and battery degradation ruin many systems. Some rooftop panels have not been serviced for over two years, drastically reducing output”, he said.
Yunusa also warned about the looming threat of solar waste, saying that Nigeria is yet to prepare for the safe disposal of expired batteries and damaged panels, which could become an environmental disaster in the near future.
“Solar energy is not just about powering appliances—it requires precise planning, professional input, and proper usage”, he emphasised.
He further said “solar energy can work for Nigerians if done properly. But cutting corners will only lead to wasted money, hazards, and disappointment.”