Imagine this. It’s late at night. You’re sweating. Your fan is off. NEPA has not brought light in two days. You check your generator but there’s no fuel. And even if you have fuel, the noise and smoke will just stress you more. That’s when you start thinking… what if I had solar?
This is the question a lot of Nigerians are asking every day. And truly, solar power is now becoming a real solution for homes and small businesses. It is clean, silent, and doesn’t need fuel to work. Once you install it, you don’t need to spend money every week. But before you rush to buy one, you must first know the cost.
So how much does it cost to install solar in Nigeria? The answer is not fixed because it depends on what you want to power in your house. That’s what this post will help you understand, everything you need to know about the cost of installing solar, the type of system you need, and how to plan properly.
What Makes Up A Solar System?
A solar system is not just one thing. It is made up of different parts that work together to give you light. The main parts are:
• The solar panels collect sunlight during the day.
• The battery stores that sunlight energy.
• The inverter changes the energy into the type your home can use.
• There are also wires, breakers, fuses, and other small tools that help connect everything safely.
So when someone says they want to install solar, they are really talking about buying all these things and putting them together.
Why The Cost Is Different From One House To Another
Not every house uses the same amount of electricity. Some people just want to power light bulbs, a fan, and maybe charge their phone. Others want to power their fridge, freezer, TV, decoder, or even AC. That’s why the solar setup for each house must be different. And the price changes too.
Before anyone can tell you the cost, you must first list out the things you want to power. You need to know how many hours you use each one daily. That’s how the installer will know the size of the system you need.
If you guess or copy your neighbor’s system without checking your own usage, you might end up buying something too small or too big. And that will be a waste of money.
Cost Of Small Solar Setup (For Light, Fan, TV Only)
If you are living in a small apartment or room and you just want to power your light bulbs, one fan, a small TV, and charge your phone, then you don’t need a big solar system.
You can go for a 1kVA solar inverter, a 12V battery, and about 2 or 3 solar panels. In 2025, this kind of setup may cost you between 350,000 to 600,000 naira depending on the brand of battery and solar panel you choose.
If you want something stronger that can last longer and charge faster, you may spend closer to 700,000 naira. This setup is perfect for students, single people, or even small shop owners who just need basic power for daily use.
Cost Of Medium Solar Setup (Add Fridge, Decoder, More Fans)
Now let’s say you live in a standard one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment. You want to power your bulbs, fans, TV, decoder, and also run a small fridge or freezer. You will need something stronger than 1kVA.
In most cases, a 2kVA or 3kVA inverter will be okay. You will also need at least 2 or 4 batteries and 4 to 6 solar panels. This type of setup can cost you between 1 million to 2 million naira.
It may look like a lot of money, but remember, this is a one-time payment. After that, you don’t have to buy fuel or service your generator every week. That peace of mind alone is worth the cost.
Cost Of Full House Solar Setup (For AC, Freezer, Pumping Machine)
If you’re living in a big house or duplex and you want to run heavy appliances like inverter air conditioners, deep freezers, water pumping machines, washing machines, and more, then you need a strong solar system.
This kind of system will need at least a 5kVA inverter, about 8 to 12 solar panels, and 4 or more lithium batteries. The cost of this can go from 3 million to 6 million naira or even higher depending on the quality of the materials and the size of the home.
Some people also include backup generators in case of many rainy days. Others combine solar with NEPA for longer use.
So yes, this is the most expensive type of solar setup, but it also gives you the best comfort. You don’t have to switch off any appliance. Everything works quietly and smoothly.
Why Lithium Batteries Are More Expensive
If you’ve been checking prices, you’ll notice that solar systems with lithium batteries cost more than the ones with normal lead-acid batteries. The reason is because lithium batteries are stronger, last longer, and don’t require as much maintenance.
A good lithium battery can last up to 10 years. But a normal battery may only last 2 or 3 years if not used carefully. So even though lithium is more expensive at the beginning, you’ll save money in the long run.
Cost Breakdown of A Typical Installation
Let’s say you want to install a 3kVA solar system in your home. You will need an inverter, at least 2 batteries, 6 solar panels, and other small things like wires, breakers, and fuses. Here’s a simple breakdown of how your money will be spent:
The inverter may cost about 300,000 to 500,000 naira.
Each lithium battery may cost about 400,000 to 600,000 naira. You need at least two.
Each solar panel may cost around 50,000 to 70,000 naira depending on the brand.
Installation cost and wiring may cost 150,000 to 300,000 naira.
So altogether, you may spend around 1.8 million to 2.5 million naira.
Of course, if you choose cheaper materials or lead-acid batteries, the cost may be lower. But always be careful of very cheap things. They may not last.
Other Costs To Think About
Sometimes when people plan for solar installation, they only think about buying the main things like the inverter and panels. But there are other small costs that come up during installation.
You may need a changeover switch so you can switch between solar, NEPA, and generator.
You may need a new distribution board if your old one is not safe for solar wiring.
You may also need strong iron stands for your batteries and solar panel mounting on the roof.
These small things may cost extra 50,000 to 100,000 naira. It’s not always mentioned in the beginning, so it’s good to be prepared.
Should You In Installments Or At Once?
There are some companies that allow you to pay small small every month for solar. This is called solar financing or rent-to-own. They install the system for you and you pay over 6 months, 12 months, or more.
This option is good for people who cannot pay everything at once. But it usually comes with interest. So you may end up paying more in the long run. Some even have a meter installed to cut off your light if you miss a payment.
If you have the full money, it’s always better to buy at once. But if you don’t, the pay-small-small option is better than staying in darkness or wasting money on fuel daily.
What To Do Before You Buy Solar
Before you call any solar installer or buy any item, make sure you do these things first:
• Check your average daily electricity usage. You can use a simple calculator or ask an expert to help.
• Write down the things you want to power and how long you use them.
• Decide how many hours you want to enjoy light if there’s no NEPA or sun.
• Talk to 2 or 3 solar companies to compare prices and advice.
• Ask them what brands they use. Make sure they are using quality batteries and panels.
Also ask if they give warranty. If someone installs solar for you without any warranty, and it spoils tomorrow, you’ll be on your own.
Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Solar
One big mistake many people make is trying to buy solar system by themselves without any plan. They go to the market, buy an inverter, one battery, and one panel, thinking that will work. But later they discover it can’t even power one fan for one hour.
Another mistake is buying very cheap items. Some sellers will give you fake batteries or used panels that will stop working in 3 months.
Some people also give the job to roadside electricians who don’t understand solar wiring properly. This can damage the inverter or cause a fire.
That’s why it’s better to always work with a trusted company or installer.
Conclusion
So how much does it really cost to install solar in Nigeria?
Well, it depends on what you want to power. If you only need basic light and fan, you can start from 400,000 to 700,000 naira. If you want to power your fridge and TV, prepare to spend 1 to 2 million naira. And if you want to go full house with freezer, AC, and everything, you may spend 3 to 6 million naira.
Yes, solar is not cheap. But it gives you peace of mind. No fuel stress. No generator noise. No need to beg NEPA. Just free light from the sun every day. If you plan it well and install it right, your solar system will serve you for many years without problem.
