By Maduka Nweke
The need for reliable electricity to power manufacturing and production equipment in Nigeria is critical. Many companies have left the country for regions with more stable power supplies due to the lack of consistent electricity. This deficit has driven a growing reliance on solar energy as a viable alternative.
Builders and suburbanites are strongly pushing for a deeper solar energy adoption given that hopes of getting regular electricity supply via the national grid have totally evaporated.
However, while solar power is gaining traction, its broader implications are often overlooked, especially its limitations in industrial applications. Solar energy, derived from the sun’s radiation, can generate heat, trigger chemical reactions, and produce electricity. The vast amount of solar energy that reaches Earth far exceeds global energy demands. If properly harnessed, this abundant and renewable source could potentially meet all future energy needs. In the 21st century, solar energy has become increasingly appealing due to its inexhaustible supply and environmentally friendly nature, standing in stark contrast to finite fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
According to Mr. Chinedu Maduagwu, a solar panel dealer, Nigeria’s electricity challenges date back to 1896, yet the system still faces significant issues. The national grid suffers from frequent outages, instability, and fluctuating supply, severely impacting the country’s manufacturing and production sectors. The conventional fossil-fueled power plants face challenges from economic factors such as devaluation, inflation, and fluctuating exchange rates, along with operational issues like inadequate generation capacity. The result is a power sector struggling to meet demand and recover costs.
“Solar energy has long been used directly as a source of thermal energy. Beginning in the 20th century, technological advances have increased the number of uses and applications of the Sun’s thermal energy and opened the doors for the generation of solar power. The clearing and use of large areas of land for solar power facilities can adversely affect native vegetation and wildlife in many ways, including loss of habitat; interference with rainfall and drainage; or direct contact causing injury or death.
“When it comes to the transmission and distribution (T&D) sub-sectors, outdated and inferior infrastructure has induced big power losses, which in turn, further intensifies the challenges and restrains public and private sectors’ passion for investment in new capacity. Ranked the25th biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, both domestic and foreign pressure calling for reductions in carbon emissions has also posed urgency for the government to find new and green channels to conduct structural development and transform its energy supply. “It is quite a reality that solar energy has limited adverse effects but one cannot diffuse the fact that although solar could still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops drastically. Again, solar energy storage is highly expensive because it occupies a lot of space and it is associated with pollution,” he said.
However, the development of large solar farms can disrupt local ecosystems, causing habitat loss, altering rainfall patterns, and potentially harming wildlife. Additionally, outdated infrastructure in Nigeria’s transmission and distribution sectors exacerbates power losses, deterring investment in new capacities. With Nigeria ranking as the 25th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, there is growing pressure to adopt greener energy sources. Solar energy, while having minimal adverse effects, does face challenges such as reduced efficiency during cloudy and rainy days and the high cost and space requirements for energy storage. The Chief Executive Officer, Sorrento Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gaurav Vaswani, highlights another challenge: the vulnerability of solar panels to physical damage.
Falling debris, high winds, and lightning strikes can all damage solar installations, leading to costly repairs. Despite these challenges, solar power offers immense potential. The energy received from the sun daily is about 200,000 times the world’s total daily electricity-generating capacity. However, the high costs associated with collecting, converting, and storing solar energy limit its widespread use.
The Nigerian government has recognized the potential of renewable energy, launching policies and incentives to encourage its adoption. This has led to double-digit growth in the renewable sector, leveraging Nigeria’s abundant natural resources to not only add new power capacity but also contribute positively to climate action goals.
Despite the high costs of solar panels, exacerbated by exchange rates and logistics, companies like Sorrento Nigeria Limited continue to operate in the market. Mr. Vinay Pataskar, the General Manager, acknowledges the financial burden on Nigerians but notes that the company prefers importing panels due to the high cost of local manufacturing, including labor and power supply challenges. The land requirements for solar installations and the need for backup generators further complicate local production.
While solar energy cannot yet fully power manufacturing and production equipment due to its high costs, there is a significant market potential in Nigeria. However, economic constraints limit widespread adoption. The company has adopted a strategy of using dealers and agents to distribute products across the country, adapting to market conditions and hoping for future economic improvements.
Pataskar remains optimistic about the future, despite recent economic challenges. The company entered the Nigerian market due to the opportunities in the solar energy sector, believing that the economic situation will eventually improve. While many Nigerians value solar energy, affordability remains a significant barrier. Nevertheless, the potential for solar energy to supplement the national grid and provide household power remains a key attraction, promising growth as economic conditions evolve.