Solar vs generator: the real cost over five years

A generator looks cheaper on the day you buy it. Over five years, it is usually the most expensive way to keep your lights on.

The number that matters

Running a diesel generator in Nigeria costs roughly NGN 90 to NGN 100 for every unit of electricity (kWh) once you add fuel, servicing, and parts. Solar with storage delivers the same unit for around NGN 15 to NGN 20 once it is installed. That gap compounds every single day.

Where the generator cost hides

• Fuel, which keeps rising and swallows the biggest share.
• Servicing, oil changes, and worn parts.
• Downtime when it fails, and what that costs your home or business.
• The noise and fumes, which are a real cost to your comfort and health.

How solar changes the maths

You pay more upfront, then your fuel bill drops sharply and your supply steadies. Most businesses we power were already spending more on diesel each month than they expected to spend on solar. For them, solar is not a luxury, it is the cheaper option that also happens to be quiet and clean.

Payback, in plain terms

For homes, the system pays for itself over its life through avoided fuel and grid costs. For businesses, payback is typically three to six years, then years of much cheaper power on equipment built to last.

The question is rarely whether you can afford solar. It is usually whether you can keep affording the generator.

Want the maths for your own usage? Tell us what you spend now and we will show you the difference.