How do I find a good solar installer in Nigeria?

Start by asking for referrals from friends or family who have solar. Verify the installer has completed at least 20 installations, ask for recent customer references, check if they offer warranty on workmanship, and ensure they use tier-1 components from known brands.

How much should a solar installer charge in Nigeria?

Professional solar installation in Nigeria typically costs ₦120,000-₦200,000 for a residential system (3-10kVA). This covers mounting, wiring, earthing, protection devices, and commissioning. Be wary of installers charging less than ₦80,000 — they may cut corners on safety.

What certifications should a solar installer have in Nigeria?

Look for installers registered with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) or certified by the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN). Electrical technicians should have NABTEB or City & Guilds certification.

What warranty should a solar installer offer?

A reputable installer should offer: 1-2 years on workmanship (wiring, mounting, connections), 2-5 years on the inverter (manufacturer warranty), 10-25 years on solar panels (manufacturer warranty), and 2-5 years on batteries (manufacturer warranty).

Can I install solar panels myself in Nigeria?

We strongly advise against DIY solar installation. Improper wiring is a fire hazard, incorrect battery settings can cause overcharging or explosions, and rooftop work without safety equipment is dangerous. Professional installation also preserves your inverter manufacturer warranty.

What are red flags when choosing a solar installer?

Red flags include: no physical office or workshop, unwillingness to provide past customer references, extremely low prices, no written quote with component specifications, pressure to pay 100% upfront, and no workmanship warranty.

How to Choose a Solar Installer in Nigeria: 7 Questions to Ask

Choosing the right solar installer is just as important as choosing the right components. A skilled installer ensures your system performs optimally and lasts 15-25 years. A poor installer can leave you with an underperforming, potentially dangerous system that fails within months.

Here are the 7 critical questions to ask before committing to any solar installer in Nigeria.

Question 1: How Many Installations Have You Completed?

Why it matters: Solar installation requires specific skills beyond general electrical work. An experienced installer understands roof structural requirements, optimal panel angles, battery room ventilation, and the specific programming of different inverter brands.

What to look for: At least 20 completed residential installations. Ask for photos of recent work and, ideally, contact details of 2-3 recent customers you can call.

Red flag: “We’ve done hundreds” but can’t show you photos or provide references.

Question 2: What Specific Components Are in My Quote?

Why it matters: “5kVA solar system” can mean vastly different things. A quote should list every component with brand, model number, and specifications.

What your quote should include:

Inverter: brand, model, kVA rating
Battery: brand, type (lithium/tubular), capacity (Ah), voltage
Solar panels: brand, wattage per panel, number of panels, total wattage
Mounting: type (roof mount/ground mount), material (aluminium/steel)
Wiring: cable sizes, length, protection devices
Installation: labour cost itemised separately
Total system cost with VAT

Red flag: A single line item “5kVA solar system — ₦2,500,000” with no component breakdown.

Question 3: What Warranty Do You Offer on Workmanship?

Why it matters: Component warranties (inverter, panels, batteries) come from manufacturers. But the installation itself — wiring connections, mounting, earthing, cable routing — is the installer’s responsibility.

What to expect:

Minimum acceptable: 1 year on workmanship
Good: 2 years on workmanship
Excellent: 3+ years, including annual inspection

Red flag: “The inverter has a 2-year warranty” (deflecting from their own workmanship warranty).

Question 4: How Do You Handle After-Sales Service?

Why it matters: Solar systems require occasional attention — inverter firmware updates, battery balancing checks, panel cleaning. When something goes wrong, you need responsive support.

Ask specifically:

What is your response time for emergencies? (Should be same-day or next-day)
Do you have a physical workshop/office? (Visit it)
What are your charges for service calls after warranty?
Can you service this system remotely? (Growatt inverters support this)

Red flag: No physical address, communication only via WhatsApp.

Question 5: What Is Your Earthing and Lightning Protection Plan?

Why it matters: Nigeria experiences significant lightning activity, especially in the rainy season. Proper earthing and surge protection is essential to prevent equipment damage.

What proper earthing includes:

Earth rod driven at least 1.8m deep
Earth resistance test (should read < 5 ohms)
Surge protection device (SPD) on both DC and AC sides
All metal frames bonded to earth

Red flag: Installer doesn’t mention earthing, or says it’s “not necessary.”

Question 6: Can I See a Completed Installation Similar to Mine?

Why it matters: Photos are helpful, but visiting a working installation gives you the full picture — wiring quality, panel mounting neatness, battery room setup, and the homeowner’s honest feedback.

What to look for on a site visit:

Neat, labelled wiring (not a cable spaghetti)
Panels securely mounted with proper spacing
Battery in a ventilated area (especially lead-acid)
Clear safety signage and accessible disconnect switches

Red flag: Installer refuses or “all our customers are private.”

Question 7: What Is Your Payment Structure?

Why it matters: A reasonable payment structure protects both parties. You should never pay 100% upfront.

Standard payment structure in Nigeria:

50-60% deposit (for component procurement)
30-40% on delivery of components to site
10% on completion and commissioning

Red flag: Demanding 100% upfront, or no receipt/invoice for payments.

Bonus: How to Verify an Installer’s Claims

Call their references: Ask previous customers about performance, response time, and any issues.
Check NERC registration: Licensed electrical contractors are registered with NERC.
Verify component serial numbers: After installation, check inverter and panel serial numbers against manufacturer databases to confirm they’re genuine.
Request commissioning report: A professional installer provides a written report documenting system settings, test results, and measured outputs.

Use SolarDecide to Know Your System Before Talking to Installers

The best negotiation tool is knowledge. Use SolarDecide’s free calculator before meeting any installer. You’ll know your exact:

Inverter size (kVA)
Battery capacity (Ah)
Panel wattage
Estimated system cost

Armed with these numbers, you can evaluate quotes accurately and spot installers who are oversizing (to increase price) or undersizing (to undercut competitors).

Related articles:

How to Calculate Your Inverter Size — Know your exact kVA requirement
5kVA Solar System Cost — What you should be paying
Best Inverter Brands Nigeria — Luminous vs Felicity vs Growatt