Power outages are part of everyday life in many Nigerian towns — but choosing the wrong backup solution turns a nuisance into a costly mistake. This guide will walk you, step by step, through how to pick a reliable solar generator for your Nigerian home in 2026. No jargon. No pushy sales talk. Just the things that matter: how much power you need, what specs to check, and how to avoid common mistakes.
1. Start with the single most important question: What do you want to run?
Everything else follows from this.
Make a short list of the appliances you must power during an outage (priority list), and note their wattage. The higher the total wattage, the bigger the solar generator required and the higher the price.
Example:
- LED lights — 10–20 W each
- Standing fan — 40–75 W
- TV (LED) — 50–150 W
- Router/modem — 10–20 W
- Laptop — 45–100 W
- Small chest fridge — 100–200 W (startup surge higher)
How to calculate: pick the appliances you’ll run at the same time, add their wattage (this gives you the continuous watt requirement). Multiply runtime (hours) × total watts to get the watt-hours (Wh) you need.
Example 1: 32 inches TV (50 W) only = 50 W. To run this set for 3 hours: 50W × 3 = 150Wh. You need a generator with 150Wh usable capacity and the price is N134,997
Example 2: Laptop (45 W) only = 45 W. To run this set for 3 hours: 45W × 3 = 135Wh. You need a generator with 150Wh usable capacity and the price is N134,997
Example3: 42 inches TV (60 W) + fan (30 W) = 90 W. To run this set for 3 hours: 90W × 3 = 270 Wh. You need a generator with 300Wh usable capacity and the price is N180,000 depending on the maker.
Example 4: 55 inches TV (100 W) = 100 W. To run this set for 5 hours: 100 W × 5 = 500 Wh. You need a generator with 500 Wh usable capacity and the price is N399,000
Example 5: TV (100 W) + fan (50 W) + router (15 W) = 165 W. To run this set for 6 hours: 165 W × 6 = 990 Wh. You need a generator with ≥1000 Wh usable capacity. price is N499,000
Example 6: Freezer (100W – 300 W) = 300 W. To run this set for 5 hours: 300W × 5 = 1500Wh. You need a generator with 1800Wh usable capacity and the price is N1,110,000
2. Understand the two numbers that matter: Wh and W
- Watt-hours (Wh) — battery energy capacity. Tells you how long the battery will last (e.g., 1000 Wh ≈ 1 kWh).
- Watts (W) — inverter output (continuous) and peak (surge) capacity. Tells you what appliances the generator can run at once.
Rule of thumb: choose a solar generator where the Wh covers your required runtime and the inverter W handles the heaviest simultaneous load (and the startup surge).
3. Battery chemistry & depth-of-discharge (DoD)
Most modern solar generators use lithium-ion batteries. Why they matter:
- Lithium: more expensive, lighter, more cycles, smaller footprint
- Lead-acid: cheaper upfront, heavier, durable
4. Inverter capacity & surge rating (don’t ignore surge)
Appliances with motors (fridges, pumps, some fans) draw a surge (startup) current many times their running wattage. Your generator must cover both:
- Continuous inverter rating: how much it can supply steadily (e.g., 1500 W)
- Surge (peak) rating: short bursts (e.g., 3000 W) to start motors
If you plan to run a fridge, choose a generator with a surge rating comfortably above the fridge’s startup wattage. Many consumer models list both numbers — compare them.
5. Recharging options: solar panel input, AC charging, and car charging
A good solar generator supports multiple charging methods:
- Solar input (MPPT controller) — check the max input watts and voltage range. The higher, the faster it can recharge from panels.
- AC (wall) charging — useful for quick top-ups at night or during long cloudy spells.
- Car/12V charging — handy for travel or remote charging.
Tip: If your daily usage is heavy, ensure the generator supports fast solar recharging (high MPPT input). Otherwise you’ll drain faster than you recharge.
6. Run time examples (realistic expectations)
| Generator size (Wh) | Typical devices it can run simultaneously | Approx runtime |
|---|---|---|
| 150–600 Wh | Phone, laptop, lights, small fan | 3–6 hours |
| 800–1500 Wh | TV, fan, router, lights; small fridge short-term | 6–12 hours |
| 2000 Wh+ | Fridge, multiple fans, lights, TV for extended periods | 12+ hours |
These are approximate. Always calculate using actual wattages of your appliances.
7. Port selection & usability
Your unit should have:
- AC sockets (universal or country-specific)
- USB-A / USB-C (for phones/tablets)
- 12V DC outputs (for specific loads)
- Fast charging support if you want to charge laptops quickly
Also check build features: LCD/LED display, battery management system (BMS), protection features (overload, overcharge, temperature), and weight/handles if you’ll move it often.
8. Expandability & solar panels
If you expect to expand later (bigger household, add fridge), pick a system that allows battery expansion or chaining with additional panels. Some generators support external battery packs or attach multiple panels in parallel for faster charging.
When buying panels, match panel power with generator’s MPPT input. For example, a generator with 500W MPPT input benefits from two 250W panels or one 500W panel in good sun.
9. Warranty, after-sales service & local support
In Nigeria, after-sales support matters. Choose brands or sellers that offer:
- Local warranty and service centers
- Clear warranty terms (battery cycle warranty, unit warranty)
- Readily available spare parts and replacement batteries
A cheap unit with no backup can cost more over time if it fails and cannot be serviced locally.
10. Common buying mistakes Nigerians make (and how to avoid them)
Mistake 1 — Buying by Wh alone.
If a unit has high Wh but a weak inverter, it won’t run appliances you need. Check both.
Mistake 2 — Ignoring surge wattage.
Fridge won’t start if surge rating is too low.
Mistake 3 — Choosing cheapest brand without warranty.
Always check local service and warranty.
Mistake 4 — Not planning for expansion.
Buy with a margin: if you need ~1000 Wh, consider 1200–1500 Wh to avoid daily full discharges.
Mistake 5 — Forgetting solar panel compatibility.
Panels that don’t match MPPT range charge slowly or not at all.
11. How to compare models (quick checklist)
When comparing two generators, line them up against this checklist:
- Usable capacity (Wh) — is it actual usable Wh?
- Continuous inverter power (W) and surge (W) — can it start your fridge?
- Battery type & DoD — lithium preferred
- Solar input (W) and MPPT specs — fast recharge?
- Ports & outputs — enough AC sockets, USB-C?
- Weight / portability — is it truly portable?
- Warranty & local support — is there a service center near you?
- Price & total cost of ownership — consider fuel savings vs petrol generator
12. A simple buying example
You live in a 2-bedroom flat. Priority items during outage: TV (100 W), 2 fans (2 × 60 W), router (15 W), 6 LED bulbs (6 × 10 W) = 355 W. For 8 hours: 355 × 8 = 2,840 Wh.
Recommended generator: at least 3000 Wh usable with a 2000–3000 W inverter (if you want fridge start capability), or split loads and pick a 1500 Wh unit if you will run those devices fewer hours.
If budget limits you, consider a medium unit (150W–300 Wh) and stagger appliance use (e.g., fans + lights, then TV later). But plan to scale.
13. Solar generator price in Nigeria — what to expect (2026 thinking)
Prices vary by capacity and brand. Small portable units are cheaper; large home-capable systems cost more but deliver more independence. When you evaluate price, factor in:
- Upfront cost vs long-term fuel savings (if replacing petrol generator)
- Warranty & service costs
- Potential for solar panel bundle discounts
14. Final checklist before you buy
- You calculated required Wh and inverter W for your essential loads
- The generator’s usable Wh ≥ calculated Wh (with buffer)
- Surge rating can start your heaviest motor (fridge/pump)
- Solar input (MPPT) supports your planned panels
- Warranty and local service are confirmed
- You know the total delivered ports & outlets (AC/USB)
- You’re buying from a reputable seller
15. Quick FAQs
Q: Can a solar generator run a fridge all day?
A: It depends on fridge size and generator Wh. Small fridges can run for several hours on medium-size generators; for continuous 24-hour operation you’ll need a larger solar + battery setup and reliable charging from panels.
Q: How long do solar generator batteries last?
A: Quality lithium batteries often last 5–10 years (2,000+ cycles). Proper charging habits extend life.
Q: Can I replace a petrol generator with a solar generator?
A: For short-to-medium backup needs (lights, fans, TV, small fridge), yes. For heavy continuous loads (large AC units, large pumps), you’ll need a larger hybrid setup.
