As Nigeria pushes for increased adoption of renewable energy, particularly solar power, concerns over the quality and durability of imported solar panels have become a major hurdle.
Many of these panels, sourced from China, India, and other Asian markets, often fail to meet Nigerian climatic and grid conditions, leading to inefficiencies and shortened lifespans. However, local manufacturing presents an opportunity to address these issues while also boosting the economy, creating jobs, and enhancing energy security.
Nigeria’s solar market has grown significantly, driven by persistent grid unreliability, rising diesel costs, and government incentives. According to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), over 85 million Nigerians lack access to grid electricity, making decentralized solar solutions a key alternative. However, industry experts estimate that 40 to 50 percent of imported solar panels in the country are substandard, leading to inefficiencies and early failures.