Switching to solar energy in Nigeria is a smart move. You’ve decided to not only have energy independence, lower electricity bills and a cleaner environment but have chosen to ditch the noisy generators, high electricity bills and the unreliability of the national grid.

However, embarking on this journey without a clearcut understanding is fraught with regrettable pitfalls if not addressed beforehand. Before making the switch, avoiding these common mistakes will ensure you get the best value for your solar investment.

Here are the four common mistakes people make and how to steer clear of them:

1. Not Knowing Your Actual Power Needs

Many people underestimate or overestimate their energy consumption. With the national grid, you are more inclined to power every device or appliance in your building without any consideration on what you are consuming because the grid has the capacity to handle it. However, when using a generator, you are more careful to restrict the load by putting off appliances with high energy consumption like irons, electric cookers, microwaves, etc.

Why it matters: With solar installations, you don’t have the luxury of adopting any of the above mentioned methods. There is a need for proper planning based on your current needs and also to prepare for the future. An undersized system won’t meet your energy demands and will lead back to dependence on the national grid and generators; the things you are running from. An oversized system will lead to more upfront expenses, though this could be beneficial in the future if you need to add more applicances.

How to avoid it: Conduct a proper energy audit. List all appliances, their wattage, and daily usage hours. You can do this using Revocube Energies’ Calculator to determine your actual consumption.

2. Buying Cheap Components & Ignoring Equipment Quality

Investing in solar systems comes at a price but choosing to purchase cheap, low quality equipment (inverters, batteries and solar panels) can be more costly in the long-run. By design, quality components last longer and are more efficient and will produce a better return on investment. Cheap and low quality components can hardly survive Nigeria’s harsh weather conditions (heat and dust).

Why it matters: Low quality equipment would save upfront costs but they are more prone to failure, degrade faster and are less efficient. They often come with little or no warranties. With these equipment you are likely to need a replacement earlier than expected, which in turn culminates to more expense.

How to avoid it: Patronise trusted and reliable brands with a proven track record. Also focus on warranty policies and the availability of local support. It’s important you get the best quality you can afford. Make sure you invest in inverters, batteries and solar panels that can last for between 10 and 25 years effectively.

3. Ignoring Building Design

I guess you are wondering, what’s the connection between the design of your building and solar systems. Your building design plays a huge role in your solar-inverter system. To reap the huge benefits of solar systems, investing in panels is pivotal as they help power your building during the day while also charging the batteries ahead of when the sun is down.

Why it matters: Having very steep roofs can sometimes be a major problem for installers of solar panels because of safety. This kind of roofs require a high level of professionalism and competence for a proper installation void of any safety hazard to the installer and the building.

Flat roofs are heaven-sent for solar panel installers, as they can hold as much solar panels as possible compared to roofs with different curves and extra design that impede movement and the space for solar panels. And most importantly, they pose less safety risks compared to steep roofs.

How to avoid it: Consult your architect for insights on the best and most sustainable roofing you can have for solar panel installation.

4. Ignoring Battery Storage, Type and Quality

Batteries are the heartbeat of a lot of solar systems. They determine the amount of charge your system can hold and how long it can provide backup power.

Why it matters: The national grid and the Distribution Companies (DisCos) have proven to be unreliable. Therefore, having a solar system without sufficient battery storage at night and on rainy or cloudy days will lead to frustration and limited value.

How to avoid it: Get a battery tailored to your usage. This is dependent on a lot of factors. If you are trying to cut down costs and are interested in powering your building for a few months or years, gel batteries will do just fine. On the other hand, depending on your average daily load, tubular batteries will last for between 3 to 6 years, depending on the quality and brand. However, if you are planning long-term (10 years and above), then Lithium-ion batteries, though more expensive, is your best bet. They last longer, charge faster and usually have the latest technology.

5. Bonus tip: Don’t Skip Regular Maintenance

Equipment need regular checkup as dust, wiring faults and software malfunctions can drop performance by 20-30%. Scheduling routine inspections and maintenance checks every 6-12 months.

Going solar is one of the best decisions you can make right now—but you must get it right.

Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll have a seamless experience for years to come. Whether you’re powering your home, office, or school, making the right choices today will save you millions tomorrow.

Need help setting up your perfect solar system?

Let our team of experts guide you from start to installation—with no guesswork, no shortcuts, and no regrets.

Book your free consultation with us via email at info@revocubeenergies.com or via phone on 02012914298