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Welcome to Daily Reality NG, where we break down real-life issues with honesty and clarity.
I’m Samson Ese, founder of Daily Reality NG. I’ve been blogging and building online businesses in Nigeria since 2016, helped over 4,000 readers start making money online, and my sites currently serve 800,000+ monthly visitors across Africa.
Solar vs Generator in Nigeria: The Real Cost Numbers Every Business Owner Must See in 2025
Reading time: 24 minutes | Published: November 21, 2025
Table of Contents
- The Day Brother Emma Almost Closed His Shop Because of Generator Finish Am
- Diesel & Generator Running Cost November 2025
- Current Solar Hybrid System Prices
- 5-Year & 10-Year Cost Breakdown
- Real Businesses That Switched & Their Savings
- Step-by-Step Guide to Choose the Right One
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
Let me ask you one question first: how much exactly is your generator stealing from your profit every single month?
I know the answer for many of you because I lived it. My friend Brother Emma runs a big cold room and supermarket in Surulere. In 2024 when diesel crossed ₦1,200, his monthly fuel bill reach ₦1.8 million some months. Add repair, oil, one night the gen knock engine – another ₦1.2 million. He almost sell the shop because profit don disappear.
Fast forward to today – November 2025 – the same shop now runs on solar hybrid. Monthly power bill? Less than ₦50,000. The savings now pay school fees for his three children. That is the real difference we go calculate today with fresh numbers.
Diesel Price & Generator Reality – November 2025
As I type this on November 20, 2025, diesel price dey between ₦1,350 – ₦1,500 per litre across major cities. According to Premium Times and several filling stations in Lagos, average price na ₦1,420 this week.
A typical 8kVA diesel generator (popular for shops and small offices) consumes 3–3.5 litres per hour on full load. If you run 10 hours daily (normal for many areas wey light no reach 6 hours):
- 33 litres daily × ₦1,420 = ₦46,860 per day
- ₦46,860 × 30 = ₦1,405,800 monthly fuel alone
- Plus maintenance (oil, filters, repairs) – easily ₦1–1.5 million yearly
That’s over ₦18 million naira every year just to keep light!
Current Solar Hybrid System Prices – November 2025
Good news: solar prices don drop small in 2025 because of more local assembly and competition.
A proper 5–6kW hybrid system (enough for shop with freezers, AC, lights, machines) now costs ₦5.2 million – ₦6.8 million complete with lithium battery and installation (quotes from Alaba, Ikeja and Abuja installers this month).
Real breakdown:
- 12–16 × 550W mono panels = ₦2.6m – ₦3.2m
- 5–8kW hybrid inverter (Deye/Growatt/Felicity) = ₦1.2m – ₦1.8m
- 10–15kWh lithium battery = ₦2m – ₦2.8m
- Installation + accessories = ₦500k – ₦800k
5-Year & 10-Year Cost Comparison (Real Numbers)
Using Brother Emma’s load (average 5kW continuous):
| Year | Generator Total Cost | Solar Hybrid Total Cost | Savings with Solar | Year 1 | ₦18.5 million | ₦6.2 million | ₦12.3 million saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 (payback) | ₦55 million+ | ₦6.5 million | Investment recovered |
| Year 5 | ₦95 million+ | ₦7 million | ₦88 million+ profit |
| Year 10 | ₦190 million+ | ₦9 million (maybe new battery) | ₦181 million+ pure profit |
That money fit buy houses for Lekki Phase 1.
Real Nigerian Businesses That Switched (2024–2025)
A pharmacy in Garki Abuja installed 10kW solar in January 2025. Before: ₦2.2m monthly diesel. Now: ₦80k. Savings used to open second branch.
A bakery in Port Harcourt switched in June 2025. Ovens now run smooth without noise or smoke. Owner say customers increase because no more “sorry light off” sign.
Even pure water factory in Ota – 20kW system paid itself in 28 months.
How to Choose Between Solar and Generator for Your Business
Let me talk to you like brother: if your monthly diesel bill pass ₦400,000–₦500,000, solar go pay itself in 2.5–3.5 years. Anything below ₦200,000, you fit manage with better generator first.
Step-by-step action plan:
- Audit your load (watts × hours daily)
- Get 3 quotes from registered installers (check warranty
- Choose lithium battery (last 10–15 years)
- Add small backup gen for rainy season
- Ask about BOI or remaining CBN solar funds (some states still get single-digit loans)
Check our previous post on how to start solar installation business in Nigeria and best inverter batteries 2025.
Key Takeaways – November 2025 Edition
- Diesel price ₦1,350–₦1,500/litre – business killing
- 5–6kW solar hybrid now ₦5.2m–₦6.8m complete
- Payback period dropped to 2.5–3.5 years
- Solar gives silent, clean, reliable power – no more fuel queue
- Generator still useful as backup, but not main source again
- Thousands of Nigerian businesses don wake up – make you no dey behind
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much is 5kW solar hybrid system in Nigeria November 2025?
Between five point two million to six point eight million naira complete with lithium battery and installation, depending on brand and location.
How many years solar panel last for Nigeria?
Quality mono panels come with twenty-five to thirty years warranty and still dey work after forty years with small drop.
Solar fit carry my freezer and AC well?
Yes! A good eight to ten kilowatt hybrid system go carry multiple freezers, three AC units, lights and machines comfortably.
Which one cheaper now – solar or generator?
Solar don win clearly. With diesel above one thousand four hundred naira, most businesses recover money within three years.
Wetin if rain fall three days?
Hybrid system go use battery or small generator automatic. Many people keep 5kVA gen just for emergency.
Any government loan for solar still dey?
BOI and some state governments still dey give single-digit loans for solar projects. Check your state ministry of energy.
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Author: Samson Ese | Daily Reality NG
Samson Ese na the founder wey dey run Daily Reality NG since 2016. E don help thousands of Nigerians build better life with honest advice and real experience.
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© 2025 Daily Reality NG — Empowering Everyday Nigerians | All posts are independently written and fact-checked by Samson Ese based on real experience and verified sources.
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