FEATURES
Solar Energy In Nigeria: From Luxury To Necessity As Imports Hit ₦242 Billion
By Nurhie Great
Solar panels are no longer only a consideration for people building expensive homes or businesses with large budgets. Across Nigeria, the search for more reliable electricity is influencing how people plan their homes, set up businesses and spend their money. While some are investing in full solar installations, others are turning to smaller alternatives, including solar-powered fans, bulbs and portable batteries for charging their phones and other gadgets.
The options may differ, but the concern is similar: Nigerians want electricity they can depend on.
The growing interest in solar energy is reflected in Nigeria’s import figures. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics, reported by BusinessDay, show that Nigeria imported solar panels worth ₦242.68 billion between January and June 2025, compared with ₦206.82 billion in the same period of 2024. That represents a 17.29 per cent increase in import value in one year.
Sales data point in the same direction. GOGLA, an industry association for the off-grid solar sector, reported that sales of solar energy kits by its participating companies in Nigeria were 33 per cent higher in the first half of 2025 than in the corresponding period of 2024. The association also recorded a 27 per cent increase in solar-appliance sales across West Africa, with demand for fans in Nigeria contributing to that growth.
These figures do not tell us exactly how many Nigerians have switched to solar, nor do they prove that every category of solar product is experiencing the same growth. However, they provide evidence that the market for solar energy kits and equipment is expanding.
Why are more people considering solar? One major reason is the cost and inconvenience of securing electricity when grid supply is unreliable. Generators provide an alternative, but fuel must be purchased repeatedly, also considering the current cost of petroleum products. Maintenance also adds to the expense. For households and businesses that depend on electricity for lighting, cooling, communication and daily operations, these costs can become difficult to ignore.
A homeowner who recently completed payments for a solar installation described it as one of the best purchases he had made that year. He said he had previously spent about ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 weekly on generator fuel because grid electricity was often unavailable. Since installing solar, he said his spending had reduced. His experience illustrates why some consumers are willing to make a substantial investment in the hope of reducing their dependence on generators.
But solar energy is not a simple or affordable solution for everyone.
A complete system involving panels, an inverter and batteries requires considerable upfront spending. Even when the long-term savings appear attractive, the initial cost can put an installation beyond the reach of households and small businesses already managing tight budgets. Equipment also requires appropriate installation and maintenance, and batteries eventually need replacement.
This is where smaller solar products become important. Someone who cannot afford to power an entire home may still be able to buy a solar bulb, fan or portable power unit. These products cannot provide everything a full installation can, and their performance varies, but they offer a more limited entry point for people seeking alternatives to grid electricity and generators.
The growing range of products suggests that the shift towards solar is not simply about wealthier households installing panels on their roofs. It also involves consumers looking for smaller solutions that fit their immediate needs and budgets. Yet the fact that a product is cheaper than a full installation does not automatically make it affordable to everyone.
This creates an important contradiction. The need for dependable electricity may be widespread, but the ability to pay for an alternative is not. Those who can afford complete solar systems may gain greater control over their power supply, while others must settle for smaller devices or continue paying for generator fuel. For some households, even the cost of a basic solar product may require careful budgeting.
There is also the question of where the equipment comes from and how much it costs. Nigeria’s reliance on imported solar components exposes consumers to changes in exchange rates and international prices. Growing demand alone cannot guarantee that solar will become more affordable. Access to dependable equipment, skilled installation, maintenance and financing will also influence whether more households and businesses can benefit.
Solar energy is therefore becoming more than a luxury purchase for many Nigerians. It is increasingly being considered as a practical response to the difficulty of securing reliable electricity. From businesses planning installations before opening to consumers buying smaller solar-powered devices, people are searching for options that suit their circumstances.
But this shift raises a bigger question.
Should reliable electricity depend so heavily on an individual’s ability to pay for an alternative?
Solar energy can help households and businesses take greater control of their power supply, and its growing use deserves attention. However, the expansion of the solar market should not distract from the need for reliable and accessible electricity for everyone. Solar may offer greater independence to those who can afford it, but for those who cannot, dependable power remains an unresolved challenge in Nigeria.
