Solar vs. Generator in Nigeria – Which One Is Cheaper?
As we continue to battle electricity challenges in Nigeria, lots of people and businesses are looking for more affordable and consistent ways of powering their homes and businesses.
The two most popular options out there currently are solar power and generators, but when it comes to powering with either of these two energy sources, which one is truly cheaper in the long run?
Don’t worry! In this guide, we are going to give you a breakdown of the cost of solar power compared to generators. We will look at the initial investment, the cost of running each of them, maintenance, as well as what you stand to benefit from in the long run.
How Solar Power Operates
Solar power makes use of energy that is gotten from the sun. This process is possible through the solar panels.
The solar panels, through an inverter, convert the sunlight into electricity that can be easily stored in batteries. You can then make use of this electricity later at night or during cloudy days.
The main components of the solar system include the solar panels, the inverters, a battery, and the charge controller.
All these parts work together; they generate, store, as well as distribute electricity.
Generators
A generator, on the other hand, is a machine powered by fuel that can produce electricity. Generators can easily run on petrol, diesel, or gas. They convert these fuels into mechanical energy that can be used to generate electrical power.
Generators have different types, which include:
a.Petrol generators These types are very much affordable; however, they’re very costly to maintain.
b.Diesel generators They’re more durable; however, they’re very much noisier.
c.Gas generators;They are cost-effective but always need a steady gas supply.
Cost Comparison: Solar vs. Generator in Nigeria
A. Initial Cost
In areas of initial cost, the solar system needs a very high investment.
For you to get a 1kVA solar system, which is very suitable for a small home, it is going to cost you around ₦300,000 – ₦500,000.
Getting a 5kVA system, which is very much suitable for a larger home or business, is going to cost you between ₦2 million – ₦5 million.
Generators, on the other hand, have very much lower costs initially.
A small 2.5kVA petrol generator is going to cost around ₦150,000 – ₦250,000.
A 5kVA generator will also cost about ₦400,000 – ₦800,000.
READ ALSO:How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for My House?
What this simply means is that it is cheaper to buy generators initially than solar systems. This means those with limited budgets would prefer to buy generators rather than solar systems.
B. Running Costs
A solar system has zero fuel costs simply because it depends on energy from the sun. Once you install solar, you will no longer need to bother yourself about how much generator users are buying fuel.
On the other hand, there’s a high fuel cost issue associated with generator use. For example, a 1.5kVA generator makes use of around ₦3,000 – ₦5,000 petrol daily, which can serve around 5 to 8 hours every day. If you add this up for a month, you will find out that you’ve spent around ₦90,000 – ₦150,000 just for fuel in a month, and it’s not even an uninterrupted power supply.
This means, over time, the cost of buying fuel regularly will make generators more expensive than solar power.
C. Maintenance Cost
A solar system needs very little maintenance. All you have to do is clean the panels and check the battery from time to time. Your solar system is going to last you up to 20 to 25 years without spending much money.
Generators, however, will always need you to change oil. You will also need to service it once in a while, which could be every 1–3 months, and you might be spending around ₦5,000 – ₦20,000 per service.
You will also need to replace parts like the plugs and carburetors regularly. This, of course, adds to your spending on maintenance. So, in terms of maintenance, solar is much cheaper than generators.
D. Durability & Lifespan
Once you get a very good solar power system, it can last you for about 20 to 25 years, so it’s easily a long-term investment.
However, generators have a shorter lifespan of around 5 to 10 years, and it is going to depend on how often you use and maintain them. When you look at durability, the solar system is also inevitably the better option.
E. Noise and Pollution
Solar power is a completely silent power system, meaning it’s environmentally friendly and perfect for residential areas.
Generators, on the other hand, are very noisy and always contribute to noise pollution. So, if you value a very quiet power supply, a solar system is obviously the best option.
Final Verdict – Which One Is Cheaper?
If you take a look at all the factors we’ve discussed in this article, obviously having solar energy is the better and cheaper option in the long run.
Generators might seem more affordable at the beginning, but when you start factoring in things like fuel, constant maintenance, and shorter lifespan, you will see that they turn out to be way more expensive in the long run.
You can say that solar power has a high initial cost. That’s true; however, it is going to save you millions of naira in the long run when compared to generators.
However, if what you need is a quick-fix power solution that is affordable, a generator, no doubt, remains a more viable short-term option.
