otokx:
Most batteries on heavy use are 2 to 3 years then you replace them making the solar/inverter concept not to be so superb. so for me get a diesel generator and regular NEPA.

How many Kva of generator will power a mini-bar with 2pieces of 2HP A.C; 2pieces of 32"LED/LCD tv; 1 sound system; 2deep freezers; 2standing fridge. You are very right with your explanation up here....

durodee:


I will attempt to answer this. I have a business that must have power supply 24/7. This is my 6th year and 10th generator (6 petrol, 4 diesel including two 3.5kva, one 5.5 Lister and the biggest is a 15kva diesel.) About a year ago I installed a 5kva inverter coupled to 4 deep cycle batteries and 1.4kw solar panels. This decision I have not regretted as I will analyse below.
First: The CHEAPEST power source in Nigeria is the National grid (Nepa of Old) BUT this is almost always unreliable for business.
Secondly: A good business centre should run from 8am to 6pm or even 8pm if in a school area, increasing the fuel use by 50%.
Thirdly: For his power need he will have to get a bigger gen set than a 2.8kva!!!! Otherwise the generator will be dead in 3 months carrying that load for 8 hours a day. A 5kva gen is more realistic.
Finally: the worth of anything you purchase is more meaningful is considered over a reasonable lifespan. So my calculations will be based over 3 years of usage since the common deep cycle batteries in Nigeria's lifespan is 3 years .
Now to calculations:
Gen 5kva petrol :130-150,000
Fuel@150/L X15L/dayX300 working days per year X 3 years = 2,025,000
Maintenance cost (oil/servicing/parts)@ 50,000X 3= 150,000
Total = @ 2,325,000
That is 2.3 million to provide NOISY power for 12 hours.
////////////////////////////////////////////////
Now to solar - inverter set up that can last for 24 hours or more of heavy usage.
5kva pure sine wave inverter : 200,000
2 X 60amp charge controllers : 200,000
12X 250w Mono solar panels@ 60k: 720,000
8 X 12v 200amp deep cycle batteries : 640,000
Installation costs/ accessories @ 200,000
Total : 1,960,000
That means for the generator person to enjoy 24/7 power over the first 3 years, he will pay 2.3 million X 2 =4.6million compared to solar setup of @ 2 million with change.
Since solar panels can last 25 years or more, the cost benefits keep accumulating yearly. The only component that you need to change as efficiency reduces is the batteries.
The ONLY negative of solar - inverter power system is the INITIAL cost of purchase and installation. After that comes the enjoyment!!

Wow this is very insightful. The benefits surely outweighs that of a generator for a business purpose. Although it'll be unfair to calculate the cost of a 24hr running gen (4.6million) as stated in your post to that of a solar. Simply because, I believe your solar wouldn't be active 24hrs. You'll have to give it time to recharge its batteries (like overnight when business closes).
Nevertheless on a 12hr span, you'v clearly shown a solar panel/inverter overshadows a generator. Thanks for your input.

The biggest issue in Nigeria concerning micro renewable energy is the inverter. The inverter makes all forms of renewable energy very expensive and unreliable. That is why every one is still using heavy polluted generators.

Solar, wind, battery, are all fantastic technology which all get destroyed by the inverter.

Any solution with inverter will not work, on mass appeal. I have been in this industry for ten years.

The inverter loses 10% efficiency every month. because of our heavy load and temperature. No matter the quality of inverter.

Some one asked a question solar always needs inverter and another person started abusing him.

The truth is solar does not always need inverter. with our current situation some loads like fan and light and AC/fridge should be Directcurrent only. then alternating current for t.v laptops. You will find out you have a far cheaper solarsystem. but check the building code does not allow this for safety reasons and standards ,so we all fall back to our generators ha ha ha....

drlawizle:


Original bad belle...wu u sef epp?

Wu u epp?
Wu u dey ask Mumu kwueshon

Prince16:


Can u please give directive 2 the place. I stay around the tipper garage axis.
Thanks

Awww I just checked....the place has been closed down or moved. But you can get your batteries from a shop before harvard kids (when coming from tipper garage). The name is star batteries

so by your analogy cars and planes crash so nobody should use cars or planes ba. na village ppl and fear mongers de run from gas. gas has exploded fewer time than kerosene has. get your facts right and stop disinformation about gas .that you're indisciplined or ignorant of safety precautions doesn't mean everyone is

blackprowler:


The day that gas will explode in their faces, they will have a teachable moment. Everybody turning to gas these days, including careless people. Gas doesn't forgive when it gets angry with your maltreatment. I'm a solar SPECIALIST. Anyone with 50k and above can be accommodated. My methods are detailed and unique and I would have been charging a hell of a lot if only that no one knows me yet. Catch me while I'm yet unknown and without capital to put up a multi-million naira show-off office cos when I do, it will be too late for the average individual. Thank you

50 k for solar installation. no de lie and if you're not, by the time we know you there will be other competitors who will force your prices down just as you are doing now.

giles14:
bros since it's for buz I suggest you go for generator, it's more economical.
I hear pple talking of solar/inverter most inverters don't last long,even if it last d issue of battery may come up and above all if you don't have up to 1milion pls forget about the stand alone pv system.

and pls to all those illiterate technicians dere is nothing like solar and inverter dey are one whole system. cos ur inverter is useless without ur solar panels.

my own little contribution

To show you it is workable, the inverter and batteries are what banks are using for their ATM galleries. This is because they get at least 10 hours of power (either public or from their generator), so all they need is to design their system to work for at least 3 days (public holiday on a Monday or Friday)

Iamlordgee:
My Brother go for the inverter it is preferably The best although it is expensive.. Generator has Fuel problems, noise problems.... Solar I thought we are close to The rain season

@bolded. You define Africa's backwardness and high level of illiteracy and exposure.

Who told you solar source of energy doesn't work during rainy season?

mfm04622:


To show you it is workable, the inverter and batteries are what banks are using for their ATM galleries. This is because they get at least 10 hours of power (either public or from their generator), so all they need is to design their system to work for at least 3 days (public holiday on a Monday or Friday)

bros don't compare with all those banks 1 2v 2000ah battery goes for close to #300000 den u times by 20(d no of battery used by first bank branch in my side)den u add d inverter(10kw) wich may go for roughly #800000- #1000000 den u add d charge controller n other accessories,it cos d banks a minimum of 10 to 15 million to setup and inverter system.so for a small scale business owner if you don't have 1million don't even think of it.

it's funny seeing pple going about saying dat inverter n solar is d best,most pple dat install the inverters still hav to charge it using NEPA or generator so wots d gain.

giles14:
bros don't compare with all those banks 1 2v 2000ah battery goes for close to #300000 den u times by 20(d no of battery used by first bank branch in my side)den u add d inverter(10kw) wich may go for roughly #800000- #1000000 den u add d charge controller n other accessories,it cos d banks a minimum of 10 to 15 million to setup and inverter system.so for a small scale business owner if you don't have 1million don't even think of it.

it's funny seeing pple going about saying dat inverter n solar is d best,most pple dat install the inverters still hav to charge it using NEPA or generator so wots d gain.

The gain is the use of power when there is no public power. For example, if you have power during the day while you are at work but no power when you are really at home, power in the afternoon can charge your batteries so you can at least watch some tv and sleep with fan.

Inverter and batteries is an option for those who have power for at least 12 hours. We don't even have solar power for 12 hours a day!

As for the First Bank system, it is not 20 batteries, it is 24. and they are 2V, 1,500AH. The inverter is also 3.5KW and not 10KW. I was involved in the design of the system in the beginning

giles14:
bros don't compare with all those banks 1 2v 2000ah battery goes for close to #300000 den u times by 20(d no of battery used by first bank branch in my side)den u add d inverter(10kw) wich may go for roughly #800000- #1000000 den u add d charge controller n other accessories,it cos d banks a minimum of 10 to 15 million to setup and inverter system.so for a small scale business owner if you don't have 1million don't even think of it.

it's funny seeing pple going about saying dat inverter n solar is d best,most pple dat install the inverters still hav to charge it using NEPA or generator so wots d gain.

If you observe all my comments, you will observe i always mention design. Design is the first step. Design starts from gathering all your initial information and then deciding your goals. Then determining what you need to achieve the goals. If you can get at least 12 hours of public power, as long as the system is well designed, i see no reason you will regret your investments

Hello Guru`s


Will a 12volt 1.5KVA be able to charge a 4x12 volt battery bank (200ah)

Picture below

Note- I will be using point 2 and 7 as charging point

shoyemiayodeji:
Generator.....you don't need to use fuel with your generator again as gas carburetor are now being used in generators ...i.e. You can now use gas to power yor 'Normal' generator.

hmm is that true?

If money is not the issue, get an inverter with a large battery bank and powerful external battery charger

Bluffly:


We now have a glass solar panel other than the one circulated in Nigeria currently. It is 5x stronger and can serve you under a very low light.

Tell me more abt ur glass solar panels

NobleG1:


As you claimed that money is not an issue for you. Go for Solar energy. Every solar panel setup should have a Solar inverter that converts the DC from the solar panels to AC for your home appliances.

Solar energy is free after the initial setup. All you need for your solar setup are;

1. Solar Panel.
Manufacturer: SunPower.
Model: 245-235.
Type: Monocrystalline.
Efficiency: 20.1%.
Warranty: 25 years.
This solar panel is a beast. It's the best in the market right now. Buy one or more panels depending on the stuff you want to power in your home. Don't buy inferior solar panels!

2. Inverter.
There are two types of inverters - Puresine Wave and Modified Sine Wave.
Puresine outputs better quality electricity but more expensive than Modified Sine. Buy Puresine, you won't regret it.
Don't forget to buy the inverter with the capacity that suits your solar panels output.

3. Charge Controller.
There are two types of charge controllers - PWM and MPPT
The MPPT charge controller is the solution of choice for higher power systems but more expensive. The PWM charge controller is a good low cost solution for small systems only, when solar cell temperature is moderate to high (between 45°C and 75°C). Choose the best for you.
Don't forget to buy the Charge controller with the capacity that suits your solar panels output.

4. Battery.
There must be energy storage. There're three types of batteries to choose from;
- Lead acid. Deep-cycle, lead-acid batteries have been employed in renewable energy and reliably used in off-grid applications globally for decades. It's cheap.
- Lithium-ion. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common storage technology, regardless of application. Costs double the price of Lead acid.
- Flow batteries. Redox flow batteries are emerging as another storage option. It's the most mature technology in this area.
For more info. here.

Good luck.

Thanks love your analysis

nasonaso:




Tell me more abt ur glass solar panels

It's not mine. I used the world we for the world. Google the terms in UK. It's in use in the UK now for buildings and bus-stops.

otokx:
Most batteries on heavy use are 2 to 3 years then you replace them making the solar/inverter concept not to be so superb. so for me get a brand new diesel generator and regular NEPA.

My brother, after 2 years in my new business, I discovered that I need something that can work without noise. Something that can power my bulbs, fan and about 4 computer systems when "NEPA" and my Generator are off. I was given cost estimate on solar + inverter and the cost run into millions of Naira.

wellmax:
Since money is not your problem. Go get all three. Call your center "money no be problem cyber cafe"

Lol

Exploring Alternative Power Solutions to Nigeria’s Power Issues
Through the years, one element has remained constant in the Nigerian energy sector and that is the fact that Nigeria is, and has always been in an ugly energy situation. For years, the masses sought solace in I-better-pass-my-neighbor generators, but this trend is gradually coming to an end. Many Nigerian citizens have simply grown weary of generator noises and petrol buying, just like they have grown tired of frequent power outages.
Experts estimate that about 60-70% of Nigeria’s population of nearly 200 million people do not have regular electricity. Most homes in rural locations are barely even connected to the national grid. Homes and businesses in urban areas struggle to find ways to bypass the country's poor electricity supply. This has put some serious constraints on the nation's economic development and general quality of life.
At this point, it has become obvious that Nigeria needs to increase its power generation. To accomplish this change, it is important to explore alternative sources more concertedly. Renewable energy sources such as solar-powered inverters can help boost performance as well as quality. Today, the focus of energy research and planning has therefore veered towards renewable energy and alternative power dealers are starting to get a lot of support.
Energy experts have continued to recommend that the Nigerian government follow more precise steps to grow alternative power sources such as renewables power sources. This is sure to increase the overall electricity supply. With Nigeria's tremendous green energy potential, if this path is explored, the nation will access several sources of energy.
Now you are probably interested in pursuing alternative energy sources. Well, you are not alone.

What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy in this context refers to alternative electrical power that augments the epileptic power supply provided by Nigerian utility providers. Since power outages are so common in Nigeria; consumers are increasingly beginning to seek alternative types of electrical power.

There are two forms of alternative energy namely:

Non-renewable energy: This includes petrol and diesel generators.
Renewable energy such as hydropower, solar and wind power etc.

Many power generating devices for instance generators, and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) can be rightly classified under either of the above categories subject to the source of the energy for the unit.
It is worth noting that at the moment, millions of Nigerians are beginning to move away from their generating sets, and troop towards other alternative sources of energy, the current most popular of which is an inverter.

Why you need an Inverter

Well, first you are getting rid of that generator headache, all that environmental pollution and the need to monitor and regulate fuel usage. A good inverter and battery can give you continuous power supply devoid of the vibration and emissions of a generator. But how do you choose a suitable inverter with the appropriate specifications that can serve your home or business?

You will probably find thousands of branded inverters and batteries in the Nigerian market and if you buy an inverter and a battery with the wrong specifications, you could end up with a really costly mess.
This purchasing guide for buying an inverter will give you a clue as to the right buying choice for your particular circumstances.
Inverter Type
There are mainly two types of Inverters that are available in the Nigerian market today they are;

Modified Sine Wave and
Pure Sine Wave.
If you wish to power small household appliances such as bulbs, televisions and fans then the Modified Sine Wave inverters are for you. They are very affordable and have high efficiency. They will provide you with comparable power to what you get from your utility company.
Pure Sine Wave inverters would support larger appliances such as your fridge, deep freezer, and other heavy electrical devices. They can provide identical power to what you usually get from your electricity company, however, they are also very pricey.
Most popular Inverter Brands in Nigeria
Felicity Solar
Prag Solar Inverters
Luminous Solar Inverters : https://crosstech.com.ng/product/kartel-xd-l-3-5kva-24v-inverter-tower-mount/
Mercury Spirit Solar Hybrid Inverter
Bluegate Solar Inverter
Inverter Size
By now you are probably wondering how to determine the right inverter size for you. Well, first, every appliance comes with a power label and you have you to check the power labels on all your appliances. Sum up the total wattage of all the electrical devices you would love to use with your inverter. To save costs, you can leave out appliances that you do not need to run daily. When you get the total wattage needed for your home or establishment, buy an inverter that is twice the size of that, this way you get some additional capacity and do not run the risk of overloading your inverter.

Inverter Batteries
Every backup power device heavily relies on batteries, therefore, the efficiency and reliability of your inverter would largely depend on the kind of battery you purchase. This means that your inverter can only supply adequate power if it has an inverter battery with adequate capacity.
Depending on your inverter’s voltage specifications, you would need a minimum required battery size. A 12-volt inverter takes 12 volts and will require a single 12v battery while a 24-volt inverter would need 24 volts. However, you must not always buy the minimum required battery size, especially if you have a lot of appliances as they may fail to meet all your power requirements.
Battery capacities in inverters are typically measured in Ampere Hour (AH), this indicates what amount of power your inverter can supply in an hour.
The most popular capacities of a 12V inverter battery in Nigeria are 100AH and 200AH; however, it is possible to find such values as 150AH and 210AH. It is also possible to get 2v inverter batteries with values like 500, 1000 and 1500 amperes per hour.
A 100AH battery can supply a particular load of power for half the time that a 200AH battery will supply the same load. Therefore choose your battery based on how much power you think you may need.
Popular Inverter Battery Brands
There are a lot of inverter battery brands in the Nigerian market, many of them being comparatively low quality; therefore it is important to buy a battery manufactured by the maker of the inverter you have purchased. Many Nigerians seem to prefer the luminous inverter, however, there are many types of luminous inverter so you still need to do your research.
To sure you have a reliable power system, please purchase a battery from one of the following brands; Prag, Bluegate, Luminous solar inverter, Sukam, Mercury, Quanta, MultiPower, and Nexus.

Online Stores where you can get Inverter for a relatively Good Price.
1. Servo Inverters : https://servo.ng/product-category/solar-inverter/
2. Crosstech Inverters : https://crosstech.com.ng/product-category/solar-power-inverter/inverters/