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According to a report by Stears, solar imports into Nigeria have grown steadily since 2017 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 57.73%. This value is significantly higher than that of other sectors, indicating tremendous growth in the solar industry. Records also show that 2023 solar imports reached a high of 868MW, a 94% increase from 2022. Nigeria’s abundant sunlight all year round makes solar energy a consistently reliable source of energy for households and businesses across the nation and this is an obvious factor of the significant growth witnessed in the sector. On top of this, in recent times, macroeconomic events have been in favour of the solar industry with the increase in premium motor spirit (PMS) price as well as the increase in electricity tariff, not ruling out the categorization of consumers into electricity tariff bands by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).Â
In terms of equipment, the cost per solar panels and lithium batteries has also gradually reduced albeit this has not significantly shown in the cost in the local markets because of the rising forex rates occurring at the same time.Â
Looking at all factors, there is however still a need for affordable and scalable solar solutions to serve the needs of people at scale. People want to live more comfortable lives. People want to stay connected with loved ones, business contacts and others. The urbanisation of more areas requires more energy. Existing and new technological and IT solutions rely on steady power supply. All these and more make the sincere case for sustainable and scalable energy supply.
There are at least two dimensions to scaling solar solutions. One has to do with adapting solar solutions for multiple use cases and the other has to do with increasing the capacity to serve more people and communities. Advances in solar systems now means that multiple applications and use cases are now possible. Solar solutions are able to serve the most critical and sensitive energy requirements over sustained periods. Solar solutions are used in the telco industry, in medical facilities and data centres. Solar solutions of multiple megawatts are springing up in different areas too. Fortunately, with the Electricity Act 2023 comes the decentralization of electricity supply in Nigeria, allowing for renewable energy off-grid and mini-grid solutions. It is now very possible and easy to power whole estates via solar solutions, taking them off the grid completely.
With remote energy monitoring systems (EMS), solar users are able to monitor their energy consumption, regulate their load and determine how much backup time they have left. Modern EMS are able to predict weather conditions, perform energy forecasts and advise on the use of the energy storage system. This is aside other basic control functions like switching the systems on and off remotely or determining how utility, solar power and stored battery energy are controlled and consumed. You also have artificial intelligence been incorporated to optimize solar performance.
Progress has been made in making high-efficiency solar panels with a reduction in footprint for increased capacity. Thus, we are able to generate more PV energy with smaller footprints. This implies roof spaces can be better optimized to support solar panels and ultimately generate more solar energy. In addition, the advent of bifacial solar panels which capture sunlight from both sides implies that users can have increased energy yields. We also have special photovoltaic panels that can be integrated into the façade of buildings offering both sustainable energy solutions and modern and aesthetically pleasing designs.
Having seen the increase in solar demand along with the advancements in related technologies as well as the availability of enabling laws and regulations, one would have expected a much higher penetration of solar systems in our urban and rural areas. This is not exactly the case because of the high entry barrier vis a vis the cost of ownership. The average person’s disposable income does allow fast ownership of suitable solar systems. The cost of acquisition remains a major challenge to the widespread adoption of solar power. In a nation where only 2.4% of Nigerian earn more than N200,000 per month, getting a good solar solution is practically out of reach for majority of the Nigerian population.Â
This is where companies like Arnergy Solar Limited come in. Arnergy Solar Limited has been offering Nigerians the opportunity to own and use solar systems with zero down payment. These solar systems are scalable, modern and come with energy management systems that give control over energy use. Arnergy’s zero down payment plan means that more Nigerians can, in the shortest possible time, afford to own a solar system that meets their needs without denying themselves other basic necessities. With initiatives like this, providing innovative solar solutions at scale becomes easier and achievable.
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