How to Know Fake Solar Products in Nigeria

 

How to Know Fake Solar Products in Nigeria

Over the years, solar energy is becoming a more popular alternative to Nigerians who are getting frustrated by unreliable power supply in the country.

With the obvious rise in demand for solar energy, a lot of fake products have floated the market. Many unsuspecting buyers purchase this product, which often fails very quickly, inevitably making these customers lose their money without really enjoying the solar power.

If you have intentions of investing in solar energy, then it is very important for you to know how you can easily identify fake products when you see one.

In this guide, we are going to explain clearly how you can easily spot a fake solar panel, battery, or inverter.

We want to make sure you get the best value for your money when you purchase any solar energy product.

Why Are Fake Solar Products Common in Nigeria?

Due to frequent power outages, as well as the very high cost of fuel for generators, most Nigerians are demanding a solar system as a good alternative. Because of these demands, there has been an increase in substandard and fake solar products in the Nigerian market.

Most of these products are usually way cheaper than the original ones. The cheap nature of these fake products means more Nigerians are attracted to buying them.

However, these fake products are made with very poor materials. They do not last long and may even cause serious damage to your properties.

Some of the fake solar products you can be deceived into purchasing in Nigeria include fake solar panels. These panels produce way less power than the one that is being advertised.

You can also be deceived into purchasing fake batteries that will fail within a few months. There are also a lot of fake inverters that cannot handle the power load that was initially promised.

Then, there are fake charge controllers that overcharge or even undercharge your battery.

For you to avoid wasting money on these counterfeit products, we put together some ways you can easily identify original solar products in Nigeria.

1. Check the Brand and Manufacturer

One of the easiest ways you can easily spot fake solar products is by checking the brand and manufacturer that you are buying from.

Genuine solar products are usually produced by companies that have a good reputation. So, before you decide to buy from any company, always check online reviews and visit their official website.

A lot of fake products always make use of similar names to these popular brands with just small differences. For example, “SunPower” vs. “SunPawer.”

Also, check the country of origin. Most of the reputable solar manufacturers in Nigeria are based either in China, Germany, USA, or Japan.

If there is no clear country of origin for the solar product you are purchasing, then know that something suspicious is actually going on.

2. Look for Certifications and Standards

For a solar product to be genuine, it must meet international quality and safety standards. You should look for some important certifications that will prove that these products are genuine. Examples are:

IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission): This certification helps to make sure that the solar panels you are purchasing actually meet global safety and performance standards.

TÜV Rheinland Certification: This signifies that a solar product has actually passed strict quality tests.

UL (Underwriters Laboratories): Another safety certification for solar components, especially solar batteries and inverters.

CE Marking: This shows the product actually complies with European safety regulations.

If the solar product you are purchasing does not come with any of these certifications, or maybe the certification logo looks fake, then you should avoid it by all means necessary.

3. Inspect the Physical Quality

All fake solar products do have some physical defects that show they are unoriginal and fake.

For solar panels, we should look at the uniform color. This is because genuine panels have a very consistent coloring, whereas fake ones usually have patches that are discolored. Also, look out for neat soldering.

This is because the connections between the solar cells are expected to be very clean and professionally done. If there is any messy or broken connection, it might indicate that the product is fake.

Finally, when purchasing a solar panel, you should look at the strong frame and glass. Original solar products use durable materials for their solar panels. If the frame happens to look weak or the glass is too thin, then there is every likelihood that it is fake.

For solar batteries, the first thing you should look at is the weight of the battery. Fake batteries are always lighter because they contain less lead, which is very, very important for energy storage. Secondly, you should look out for branding.

The label on the battery should be very clear, and there should be no spelling errors. Fake batteries, most of the time, have unclear labels or labels that are already peeling.

Then, finally, you should look at the capacity rating of the battery. A lot of fake batteries usually exaggerate their power storage capacity. For example, you could end up buying a 200Ah battery that performs like a 100Ah battery.

If you are purchasing inverters and charge controllers, you should look at their build quality. The device should always feel very solid and not flimsy or lightweight. Also, keep an eye on the display panel. If the screen looks very poorly made, it could be an indication that it might be fake.

Finally, take a look at the heat generation. Most fake inverters and controllers are likely to overheat very quickly. This can damage your system if not properly taken care of.

READ ALSO:Solar Power for Small Businesses – Cost & Setup

4. Check for a Warranty

Solar panel manufacturers with a good reputation will always give you warranties because they trust their products.

For solar panels, the warranty period is around 20 to 30 years.

For batteries, 3 to 10 years.

For inverters, 5 to 10 years.

For charge controllers, 1 to 5 years.

If a seller refuses to give you a warranty or decides to give you one that is very short, that is a red flag. You should always ask for written proof of the warranty.

These are some of the ways you can discover fake solar products. You should always buy from Arenahub, as our products are absolutely authentic and original. You won’t be disappointed one bit.