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Power problems: Could solar solve Nigeria’s electricity woes?

Power problems: Could solar solve Nigeria’s electricity woes?

Hungry for energy, millions of Nigerians put up with noisy, smoky petrol-fuelled generators to power their lives. Could solar technology help?

An estimated 22 million small-unit generators are in use by Nigerians, and they plug a vital gap in a country that ranks 171 out of 190 nations in terms of access to electricity, according to the World Bank [File: Sunday Alamba/AP Photo]
An estimated 22 million small-unit generators are in use by Nigerians, and they plug a vital gap in a country that ranks 171 out of 190 nations in terms of access to electricity, according to the World Bank [File: Sunday Alamba/AP Photo]

Ilorin, Nigeria – On a recent Monday morning, Mathew Bello, popularly known as Matey, switched on the generator that powers his shop in the capital of Kwara State at exactly 9:28am. It sputtered for a second before roaring to life, coughing up clouds of grey smoke in the process.

Inside Bello’s multipurpose shop are places to watch television, play video games, get a haircut and fix a mobile phone. As David, Bello’s apprentice, transferred the shop’s fuse box from the utility grid — which was currently experiencing a blackout — over to the generator, the TVs lit up and hair clippers buzzed to life.

Bello set up the DSTV and PlayStation consoles and potential customers jostled for spots to charge their phones. The whine from the generator fluctuated as it balanced customers’ hunger for energy with the limits of its output.

On that day, Bello’s generator did not go off until 12am, after 14 hours and 32 minutes of non-stop work.

“Sometimes there’s NEPA light,” Bello told Al Jazeera, referring to power from the city’s electrical grid, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. “But it’s low current,” he said – and not enough to meet the power demands of his shop.

A petrol-powered generator sits outside a home in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, where people rely on the noisy machines to power their everyday lives [Olatunji Olaigbe/Al Jazeera]

Bello’s generator consumes between 17 and 27 litres of petrol each day, he said, which costs him between 2,500 naira ($6.08) and 4,000 naira ($9.72) by the country’s official exchange rate. Then there is an additional 1,500 nairas ($3.65) per week to gauge and change the generator’s oil. A mechanic comes for maintenance and repairs three times a month, costing at least 1,000 nairas per visit ($2.43) in addition to the cost of any spare parts.

All told, Bello’s monthly spending for his generator averages around 100,000 naira ($243.01) to 130,000 ($315.92). But his monthly earnings amount to 170,000 naira ($413.12) at most, and he is able to buy less each month as the prices of fuel, food and other daily necessities skyrocket.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Nigeria is dealing with its worst levels of inflation in four years. Bello is concerned that passing on increased costs to his customers would cause him to simply lose business.

Haircuts, video games and TV time are not considered necessities, meaning people will likely stop patronising his shop if he charges more. His story is just one example of the economic and human cost of Nigeria’s electricity woes.

Hungry for power

An estimated 22 million small-unit generators are in use by Nigerians like Bello, and they plug a vital gap in a country that ranks 171 out of 190 nations in terms of access to electricity, according to the World Bank.

Nigeria’s grid has an installed capacity of roughly 12,522 megawatts, but due to poor infrastructure, it is only able to deliver around 4,000 megawatts most days, according to the US Agency for International Development.

As of February, 43 percent of Nigerians still had no access to on-grid electricity, according to the World Bank, and Nigeria loses $26.2bn annually (the equivalent of two percent of its gross domestic product) due to the lack of reliable electricity.

Along with the financial cost of petrol-powered generators are the noise and pollution they generate [File: Sunday Alamba/AP Photo]

To bridge the gap between supply and demand, Nigerians are forced to generate power in small units from off-grid sources, usually fossil fuel-powered generators.

Along with the financial cost of generators are health and environmental costs. Two out of three generator users in Nigeria complained of hearing impairment, according to data cited in a 2019 report (PDF) by the Access to Energy Institute (A2EI), a non-profit research and development institute working to advance the use of solar energy in developing countries.

“The noise is delirious,” Quadri Oladayo, a student who uses his own generator to read and work as a freelance photographer, told Al Jazeera. “Every time a nearby generator goes off, it’s like a part of your soul you never knew was missing returns.”

Most Nigerians are aware of more health and environmentally friendly options such as solar energy, but cost, quality and lack of expertise make implementing them difficult. That is why more investment in solar energy is needed, said Segun Adaju, the president of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria.

“If $2bn is invested in the solar energy sector, most businesses can run comfortably on 8 to 12 hours of energy provision daily,” Adaju told Al Jazeera, adding that such an investment would also provide “room for industrial growth and confidence in the investor market”.

Solar potential

Nigeria gets between five to seven hours of sunlight daily, depending on the region. A 2019 report (PDF) by the director-general of the Energy Commission of Nigeria estimated that if one percent of Nigeria’s land area were to be covered with a solar technology of five percent efficiency, about 333,480 megawatts of electricity could be generated, which is “more than enough for the country”.

Experts believe that solar power in Nigeria is currently underutilised.

For example, Nigerians are likely to own a solar-powered torchlight, solar-powered fan and perhaps solar-powered refrigerator, but each comes with its own solar plate and energy generation unit, rather than plugging into a single solar generator capable of powering an entire house and every appliance.

A solar generator with the capacity to power all of those devices is barely available on the market and inaccessible to the majority of low- and middle-class Nigerians. A high-capacity solar generator can cost well above 400,000 naira ($972.05). By comparison, the monthly minimum wage in Nigeria is 30,000 ($72.90) naira. And even when Nigerians can afford them, there is still a dire lack of expertise to help people maintain solar-powered generators.

Cost remains a major barrier for Nigerians who want to switch from petrol-powered generators like this one to solar-powered generators, which can cost more than 10 times the monthly minimum wage [Olatunji Olaigbe/Al Jazeera]

And for business owners who have higher energy demands, cost is a major deterrent. For his part, Bello said he has considered solar energy many times but has been dissuaded by the price as well as the potential output.

“I’ve never seen a solar power that can power five TVs and three clippers,” he said.

Thomas Duveau, the chief strategy officer at A2EI, said the current petrol-powered generators are favoured by people because “they serve that energy demand”, and “they do it quickly and in the cheapest way possible – at least in the short term”.

But A2EI is hoping to help Nigerians make the move to solar, and has been working on the project since 2016.

To get a grasp on people’s energy needs, the group installed smart monitors on 300 petrol-powered generators in Wuse market in Abuja so they could monitor metrics such as energy output, fuel consumption, how long each generator worked and even the frequency of faults.

“We then used this information to construct our solar generators, making sure they can outperform the fossil-fuel generators,” Duveau told Al Jazeera.

But matching petrol generators’ output has only been part of the challenge.

“Our biggest hurdle has always been finance,” Duveau said.

Financial challenges

In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit, A2EI shipped about 200 solar generators to Nigeria, which were priced at $700 per unit.

The pandemic delayed customs processing on the generators, Duveau said, and impacted the economy more broadly. Last year passed without A2EI selling the solar generators.

By 2021, the value of Nigeria’s currency had fallen to 411 naira to the United States dollar, with the black market value well above that.

The solar generators still cost $700, but that is now 288,050 naira — 22,000 naira more than when they were first shipped.

To deal with this issue, A2EI said it partnered with Nigerian banks and other financial institutions to provide subsidies and credit to help Nigerians buy its solar-powered generators. Duveau said they have also approached the Nigerian government for support, but have been met with no concrete response.

Renewable energy investments

In December 2020, the Nigerian government launched the Solar Power Naija programme, an ambitious project targeted to provide solar electrification to 25 million Nigerians who were not previously connected to the grid.

The programme plans to provide five million new off-grid or mini-grid connections and “incentivise the creation of 250,000 new jobs in the energy sector”, according to its website.

However, since the programme’s inception, the Rural Electrification Agency — the agency in charge of the programme — has so far deployed 100,000 solar home systems.

As the push to get solar-powered generators up and running struggles to get off the ground, Bello’s petrol-powered machine keeps on going, belching out grey smoke and incessant noise — just like his neighbours’ — and sapping his earnings in the process.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
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Solar Energy News

SOLAX Inverter Review

https://www.cyanergy.com.au/solax-inverter-review/

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Solar Energy News

We are now the exclusive distributor for SOLAX Power in West Africa

 

SolaX X-ESS $G

July 1st, 2021 SOLAX Power signs distribution agreement with AWPS Renewable Energy, LTD for West Africa (minus Ghana)

AWPS Renewable Energy, LTD is proud to announce the conclusion of a multimillion dollar agreement between AWPS Renewable Energy, and SOLAX Power. SOLAX Power, is one of the worlds most successful hybrid inverter manufacturers and has finalized testing on its new range for the West African market.

Hybrid inverters will ultimately change the face of Solar systems – they direct energy into your home during the day to power your main incoming feed and store the excess in your batteries. This allows you to reduce your utility bills and reduce the run time of your generator.

About SOLAX Power
A division of the Suntellite Group, our vision is to be a world leader in the development, production and sales of inverters that incorporate innovative technologies and state of the art capabilities, providing our customers the power to harvest nature’s energy.

SOLAX products are designed, tested and manufactured to the highest global standards. Proudly supported by more than 30 international offices with 24-hour, 7 days per week online service, our products are exported to over 60 countries via 200 distribution channels. SOLAX products come with international module certifications such as TÜV, CE, SAA, UL, MCS, ROHS and inverter certificates, VDE, SAA, EN50438, G83, G59, C10/11

About AWPS Renewable Energy, LTD
AWPS Renewable Energy, LTD provides clean energy. The company has changed the Nigeria Energy industry by providing lithium battery only solutions directly to home-owners and business for less than they spend on running their generators. AWPS Renewable Energy, LTD gives customers control of their energy costs and protects from inflationary costs of fuel and rising electricity tariffs. The company makes solar energy easy by providing, remote monitoring and maintenance of the solar systems. Visit the company online at www.atlanticwastepower.com and follow the company on Facebook & Twitter.

Tested and ready for the Nigerian Market

The SolaX power solutions are IP55 rated. Can be installed outside and are dust and water resistant. They have been SALT tested. If you live on the Island in Lagos, this is important. Your new investment will not corrode or fail due to the air quality. If you live in Port Harcourt, you don’t have to worry about soot getting into your inverter and causing it to fail. It comes with all the toys too. Real time, monitoring and an app for Android or IPhone to allow you to monitor your energy use.

Nigeria’s Best Warranty
The Solar X G-4 inverter comes with a 10 year warranty. Double the best warranty in the Nigerian Market today. The battery comes with a 10 year warranty, 10 years better that the best lead acid and up 30% better than the leading competitor in the Nigerian market today

 

Happy Birthday America.

 

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Solar Energy News

6 common misconceptions about solar

The high increase in the number of panels installed yearly shows the vast opportunities and benefits of installing a solar panel in your home or business area.

Solar energy is the use of energy from the sun to produce energy. Although there are various behind the scene processes that occur before electricity is made available to power your appliances, solar energy remains a sure way to reduce pollution in the environment and save the planet.

Solar as with many other inventions has its myths and misconceptions. Everyone you meet has a say about solar. Some could be positive and others negative.

However, I  have come to realize that the opinion of people influences our purchasing decision and that is the reason I have put together this article to address some of the myths you are likely to hear about solar.

Here are 6 common misconceptions you will probably hear as you interact with people about solar.

Common misconceptions about solar

1. Solar panels will harm the roof

 

This is one common misconception. People often think that the presence of a solar panel on their roof will harm their roof.

Some also think that the installation of solar panels on the roof will mean breaking the roof. Both of these thoughts are wrong.

Solar panels do not harm your roof rather, they enhance the durability of your roof by shielding it from harsh weather conditions, dust, dirt bird droppings, and other things that could make the roof deteriorate.

Also, the installation of solar panels on the roof does not require breaking the roof. Solar panels are easy to install and as a bonus, the part of the building where the rooftop solar is installed remains cool even in hot weather conditions.

 

2. Inverters get hot, catch fire and burn down houses

Yes, inverters could catch fire. However, such incidence is rare as solar experts ensure they install the right type of inverter which could withstand, deliver and function properly. 

Not all inverters are created equally. There are different varieties of inverters. It is, therefore, the duty of your solar installer to source the best inverter for your home or business place.

Are you having issues locating a trusted solar expert?

Contact us to help.

 

3. Solar panels do not work in cloudy weather condition

Many believe that solar panels do not work in cloudy weather and that is not true. Solar panels do work even on cloudy days. The only hindrance is that they do not perform well on cloudy days as compared to sunny days.

One thing you should know is that solar does not need heat to generate electricity. All it needs is light from the sun. So, even on cloudy days, your solar panel is estimated to generate about 10-25%of its normal power output.

 

4.Solar is expensive

While this is true, it is also exciting that you know how the price of solar power is rapidly decreasing. Solar panels are cheaper now when compared to when they were first invented.

The price of solar power has rapidly decreased over the years. One more thing to know, with the installation of solar panels, you get to save money and this is a high return on investment.

 

5.Solar panels do not work at night

The essence of installing a battery is to make electricity available to you when needed even at night. The batteries effectively harness energy from the sun during the day to be used at night to power your devices. So, you do not need to fear.

6. Maintenance is not feasible

Maintaining your solar panels and batteries is now an easy thing to do which is less stressful and impactful.

All you need to do is contact your solar installer and discuss how often the panels and batteries should be maintained. It could be twice or thrice a year depending on you and your installer.

 

How we can help

We are a solar energy expert with over a decade of experience in the industry.

Deciding to go solar is of tremendous benefit. We are here to guide you through every stage. Contact us here.

 

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Solar Energy News

Benefits of installing rooftop solar panels

A rooftop solar panel refers to solar panels that are installed on the roof of buildings. You probably must-have seen them in many buildings and wondered why people did bother installing the solar panels on the rooftop rather than choosing another location.

There are tremendous benefits of installing rooftop solar panels. Here are few reasons why rooftop solar panel installation is preferable.

Benefits of installing rooftop solar panels

1. Direct sun

Solar panels generate electricity by the direct action of sunlight on the photovoltaic cells contained in each solar panel.

 

When solar panels are installed on your roof, direct sunlight strikes the panels and generates electricity.

Another advantage is that there is rarely any obstruction to the action of the sun on your solar panels when they are installed on rooftops.

 

2. Space and convenience

The installation of solar panels on the rooftop created more space in the compound. Rooftop solar panels make room for convincing and allow easy navigation to different areas in the compounds.

 

3. Utilization of vacant roof

The installation of solar panels on the roof helps you utilize your vacant roof.

 

4. Low maintenance

Solar panels are easy to maintain and the installation of solar panels on the roof even makes it easier to maintain as raindrops tend to wash off first which could block or hinder the efficacy of your solar panels. Quick installation

Solar panels are quick to install and are of good benefits in the long run.

 

5. No noise, zero emissions

Rooftop solar panels make no noise whatsoever when generating electricity. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that can be effectively tackled by the use of solar panels.

 

Other hazardous emissions released from the combustion of fossil fuel are drastically reduced by the installation of solar panels.

Giving us a stable and healthy environment.

 

7. Climatic changes

Rooftop solar panels and solar panels, in general, produce no greenhouse gases. If the use of solar panels is implemented widely, they can help reduce the effect of climatic change and give us all an eco-friendly environment which would greatly impact our health.

 

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Solar Energy News

Benefits of buying a house with solar panels in Nigeria

Solar power has always been a good investment to make. Are you considering purchasing a new home and you are in between deciding on purchasing one with solar panels and one without solar panels?

 

A personal opinion would be to purchase that with solar panels. However, I wouldn’t want you to take my words for it. I would want you to explore further and acknowledge the benefit of having a home with solar panels.

Solar panels could save you the hefty bills you pay for electricity and apart from that, you get more and more out of the investment.

Over the last few years, solar panels have been installed in more houses than before. In U.S alone more than 12.3 million Americans installed solar panels in their home in 2018. That shows how beneficial solar-powered houses are. 

You may also read: Benefits of solar energy

Here are some reasons you should purchase a house with solar panels.

5 Solid Reasons You Should Purchase a House With Solar Panels

1. Generate your sustainable energy

Purchasing a house with already installed solar panels gives you the ability to generate sustainable energy. You become independent of a utility company and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels which is great for you.

In Nigeria, there is heavy dependence on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are used in powerhouses and they increase the carbon emission in the environment. If you purchase a house with solar panels, you are sure to be generating your sustainable energy which leaves no noise pollution or carbon emission on the environment.

2. Constant electricity

On a sunny day, you are sure to get the most out of the sun’s free energy which can also be stored for use on a cloudy day if you have solar panels already installed in your home. 

With good batteries added to the installation, you are sure to enjoy constant electricity which NEPA (or any other utility company) cannot give you. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and doing all you want to do with electricity all because you have a home that is powered by the sun.

That’s one advantage of buying a house with solar panels.

3. Save money

An average home in Nigeria spends nothing less than #10,000 on electricity bills per month and this doesn’t include the money spent on generator bills too.

Let’s do little calculations for the money spent on running a generator.

Taking that the price of petro is #150/liter and diesel is #190/liter. You use a generator which operates using petrol and you buy a minimum of 3 liters a day.

That alone sums up to #450/day, #3,150/week, #13,500/month and #164,250/year.

Looking at that of diesel using a minimum of 3liters daily gives #570/day, #3,990/week, #17,100/month, and #208,050 / year.

This a just a rough estimate of how much you spend in running a generator every day.

Investing in purchasing a house with solar panels is worth the money.

4. Little maintenance

Unlike the generator used in powering most homes in Nigeria, solar panels are easier to maintain. A typical generator will require monthly or bimonthly maintenance which could be expensive most times.

For solar panels, maintenance occurs 2-4 times a year and it is relatively cheap depending on the company.

5. Improved home value

If you are looking for a good investment to make, then you should purchase a house with solar panels. Homes with solar panels are valuable in the market right now. They are considered an asset that can be sold for a much higher price than was purchased at a much faster rate.

Final thoughts

Before purchasing a house with solar panels, you should find out about the size of the panels and how much electricity it generates. Smaller solar panels produce a small electric current which may not be enough to successfully power your home appliances.

 

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Solar Energy News

7 solar tips that can save you money when you know them

Solar power is the conversion of energy derived from the sun(solar energy) into electricity. This electricity derived from the sun can be used in powering your appliances at the home, office, farm, or any other place the installation was made.

 

One thing you should keep in mind is that the sun offers this free energy to you daily.

So, as long as there is sunlight, there will be solar energy.

An amazing fact about solar energy is that energy released to the earth by the sun in one hour can be utilized by everyone in the world in one year.

This means that there is an abundance of solar energy released hourly. This energy is of huge impact on the earth as it can transform the earth greatly.

Benefits of going solar

Here are some crucial benefits of going solar

  1. Installing solar in your home aids in improving your home value.
  2. It makes you independent of the utility company as you get to produce your own electricity using the right components.
  3. Going solar helps save the planet as you get to contribute to the reduction of carbon emission.
  4. It helps improve your health 
  5. Reduction in noise pollution and other kinds of pollution is another benefit of going solar.

While installing a solar energy system at home, your farm, office, or any other place you desire is a nice investment and an economical change to make, it is also necessary that you know solar tips that can help you get the most out of your investment and save you money.

Rather than spending money always, these tips will help you have more money and get the best out of your investment.

Solar tips you should know

1. Know how it works

The first thing you should know is the step-by-step basic process of how solar energy works. This is crucial because when you get to know more about a particular thing, you get to appreciate it more.

And hey,  you do not need to know much about the technical jargon or the whole electrical phrases and application.

All you need to know is the basic process of how your solar energy system works.

2. Heavy appliances during the day

 

During a sunny day, there is a release of so much free energy from the sun. One way to utilize this free energy is to use your heavy appliances during the day as the energy is being released.

This enables you to get the most out of your solar energy system. So, heavy appliances such as a heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and others should be used during the day.

3. Add a battery

The major duty of the solar battery is to store energy for use. Solar energy isn’t produced at night but adding a battery to your installation would make electricity available to you always even at night hereby preventing blackout.

4. Switch to energy-efficient appliances

One way to make your power last longer and save you money is to switch from using energy consulting devices to using energy-efficient appliances.

For example, instead of using the yellow bulb which could consume 40, 60, 80, or 100 watts, consider switching to an LED bulb which is more energy-efficient and can save you money in the long run.

5. Clean your panels

 

Dirty panels can cause a decline in the performance of your panels and the system as a whole. Solar blockers such as dust, leaves, water, sand, ice, bird dropping, and others can limit the functioning of your solar panels.

To maintain your solar panels, you should clean your panels regularly at least 2-4 times a year.

6. Avoid shade

Solar panels do not function effectively under a shade. To get the most out of your panels, you should keep them away from shade and install them in a place where direct sunlight can do justice to them.

7. Maintain your batteries

 

You should get to find out the type of solar battery that was installed for you and know the routine maintenance of such a battery.

Your batteries just like any other appliance purchased are prone to damage if you do not handle it the right way.

Therefore, you must learn how to maintain your batteries or you can contact your installer to conduct routine maintenance for you.

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Solar Energy News Solar Power

How to maintain and care for your solar battery

Solar batteries are one of the major components of your solar power system. The battery functions as the storage tank for the electrical current trapped by the solar panels.

One advantage is having a battery is that it holds the electrical current and makes it ready for use whenever you need it. That is, with your battery, you can have electricity power your appliances any time, any day, any weather as long as it is charged.

As a major component of your solar power system installations, you must take adequate care of your batteries. Batteries like any other appliance are prone to damage if not handled the right and suitable way.

Types of solar batteries

There are different types of solar batteries and they all have their distinct features. They include: 

1. Lead-acid batteries

These are one of the longest-used batteries in the solar world. The two main types of lead-acid batteries are

  • Sealed lead-acid batteries and
  • Flooded lead-acid batteries

Lead-acid batteries are cost-effective, reliable, and can be disposed of easily. They require to be kept in a well-ventilated room and they have a short life span.

2. Lithium-ion batteries

This is one of the most widely used solar batteries in the world today. They require little to no regular maintenance, can hold more energy, and have a long life span. They are equally expensive and highly inflatable.

3. Nickel-cadmium batteries

They are mostly used in the aircraft industry. They are durable, maintenance-free, and can be operated at extreme temperatures. They are highly toxic too.

4. Flow batteries

 

Care of Flooded lead-acid batteries

Your flooded lead-acid batteries require regular maintenance(once in 2-4weeks). To care for these batteries, you should check your electrolyte level and refill when low.

Ensure you equalize your battery charges every 30-90 days. Battery cable connections should be right and terminal connections neat. 

How to check the electrolyte fluid level

The flooded lead-acid batteries are liable to this kind of maintenance routine. To check the fluid level, you need to open the battery cap and have a look inside to gauge the fluid level.

If low, distilled water should be added to top the electrolyte level. For most batteries, there is a fill line indicating the expected electrolyte level. All you have to do is fill it up to that level with distilled water.

How to clean your battery

When using the flooded lead-acid batteries, spillage of acid may occur. When this occurs, it needs to be cleaned. 

To clean your batteries, get a mixture of baking soda and distilled water. Using a clean brush, apply the mixture and brush the spillage to neutralize it.

 

Care of sealed lead-acid batteries

Sealed lead-acid batteries require less maintenance. Ensure battery terminals are tight. Clean any dust collected by the batteries.

Care of lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries require the least maintenance. After installation, you need to occasionally check the state of charge to ensure they are holding a charge properly. 

This shouldn’t be a problem as your installer can walk you through the process. Ensure to check the cables and terminals for proper tightening.

How to safely replace your solar batteries

 

When batteries aren’t properly maintained, their life span may get short. In such cases, it is necessary to replace batteries with new ones.

Avoid mixing old and new batteries. For safe replacement, ensure you contact your solar energy company.

 

Tips for extending battery life

  • Use only distilled water as an electrolyte.
  • Ensure you charge your batteries properly.
  • More batteries equal more connections  So, endeavor you limit the number of batteries used.
  • Never leave your battery uncharged.
  • Equalize your battery often
  • Clean when spillage or dust collection occurs

 

AWPS renewable is one of the leading solar companies in Nigeria. We are dedicated and passionate about what we do. Our team of experienced professionals is ready to guide you as you go solar.

For more information contact us here.

You may also like how solar energy works

How to maintain your solar panels

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Solar Energy News

How To Maintain Your Solar Panels

A lot of questions have popped up in time past about the cleaning of solar panels. While that is something to address, others are quite skeptical about the frequency of cleaning solar panels.

A perfect scenario is this, do you purchase an appliance without properly and frequently caring for it or maintaining it? 

The answer is probably a “NO”.

You see, solar panels just like any other appliance purchased by you need to be cared for and maintained. Maintenance makes it last longer and makes it more efficient.

Why should I clean my solar panels?

Your solar panels need to be cleaned regularly at least 2 – 4 times a year. Dirty solar panels cause about a 20% decline in the performance of your panels.

Solar panels take energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. To get the optimal performance of your solar power system, your panel needs to be clean enough to trap energy from the sun.

Common Solar Blockers

While your solar panels may be kept on the rooftop or ground level, some elements can hinder the proper functioning of your solar panels.

These elements block sunlight from hitting your solar panels and the amount of solar energy trapped by the panels becomes insufficient to power your appliance. Solar blockers include dust, leaves, water, bird droppings, snow, and dirt in general.

How to Clean Your Solar Panels

There are two ways to clean your solar panels. A. Do it yourself. B.Contact your solar energy company

1. Do it yourself

To clean your solar panels yourself, you will need something to clean it and water. Here are the steps to take.

  • First, you need to get on the roof of your house.
  • Apply water to the dirty panels and use your mop to clean till it is neat.

While this may look easy, it is not always a safe step to take.

2. Contact your solar energy company

A safe measure to take in cleaning your solar panel is to contact your solar energy company.

One reason you should do this is that they are professional and they would know how to render professional and safe services.

If you contact your solar company and discover that they do not render panel cleaning services, request they recommend a professional to handle your cleaning job.

Solar Panel Maintenance Tips

1. Never use an abrasive sponge or soap on your solar panel.

Do not clean your solar panel with an abrasive sponge as this can lead to a scratch on the panel.

When cleaning your panel, use water and a non-abrasive sponge.

2. Do not use harsh materials such as sandpaper, hard brushes, etc to clean your panels. Harsh materials can leave a crack on your solar panel and it isn’t an ideal condition for your panel.

3. Be safe on the roof

If you attempt to do your solar panel cleaning yourself, always be careful to ensure you do not trip off, injure yourself or crack your roof.

4. Look out for dirt. Always look out for the common solar blockers as mentioned earlier.

5.Keep your solar panels out of the shade. This is to ensure you get sufficient energy from the sun.

6. Clean periodically.

You should clean your solar panels at least 2-4 times a year. This enables the smooth working of your solar power system.

7. If damaged, call your solar power company.

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Solar Energy News Solar Power Solar Projects

A Step by Step Process on How Solar Energy Works

How Does Solar Energy work?

You probably must have seen those huge panels on the roof of many houses and have asked yourself “oh man how does this thing work?”. 

Well, I will walk you through the process of this solar energy works. Firstly, you should know that solar energy is the most abundant type of energy in the world today and it is gotten from the sun.

That means the sun generates energy which is converted into electricity and used to power your home, office, farm, or wherever you need your installation to be made.

You can also read solar power for beginners

Solar power is of tremendous benefit to you. Once the installation is made, here are some benefits you would get

  • It improves your home value.
  • Solar makes you independent of the utility company.
  • You contribute to saving the planet by installing solar panels.
  • You have money too.

Component of solar

The solar panels installed on the roof are just one of the components that helps in utilizing the free energy generated by the sun. The components include

  • Solar panels

  • Inverter

Solar inverter

  • Battery

Solar Batteries

How Do Solar Panels Generate Electricity?

 

1. Absorption

Each solar panel possesses solar cells which can also be called photovoltaic cells. These cells are responsible for absorbing light from the sun. The panels are connected in a series for maximum effect.

2. Electric current

When solar energy strikes the photovoltaic cells in the solar panel, it energizes it and this results in electrons getting loose from atoms. The loose electrons now are put in motion which further creates an electric current.

3. Storage

The electric current generated is stored in your battery.

4. Conversion

The current generated from the sun is a Direct Current (DC) and it is stored as such in your battery. For use in the home or any other place where the installation was made, the Direct Current needs to be converted to an Alternating Current (AC). 

That’s where the inverter comes in.

The inverter converts DC to AC.

5. Ready to use

The converted electricity is ready to use in powering your appliances.

 

A Simple Illustration on How Solar Works

Let’s look at a simpler illustration of how solar energy works. For this illustration,

 

  • The sun is likened to be fuel
  • The solar panel is likened to be a gas pump.
  • The battery is the tank and
  • The inverter is the engine.

Full connection

Here’s how it works

The sun(fuel) hits your panels(gas pump) through a chemical process and the panels turn solar energy into Direct Current (DC).

Your panel determines how much current can be stored in your battery(tank). The bigger your panels, the more energy you get from the sun to store in your battery and the longer you can run your inverter (engine).

The energy stored in the battery is a Direct Current (DC). For it to be used in powering your appliances, it needs to be converted to an Alternating Current (AC) by an Inverter.

The inverter converts the current and sends it to your devices for use.

Final thoughts

Now you know how the sun can power your home and minimize cost.

Interested in installing solar panels for your home, farm, office,e or any other place?

Explore our solar products or contact us