Attention all Nigerians - Your solar power companies are lying to you

... and how Carbon can help you

We live in a block of 12 flats that has had less than 50% occupancy for over 10 years with a property manager who has the organisational power of LASTMA during fuel scarcity (or bridge shutdowns for that matter). The issues we have had with power, let's just say I wouldn't wish it on my enemies. After spending a lot of time out of the country - and subsidising our neighbours with our full service-charge payments, I decided to take the L and go off the grid. Between the fancy adverts promising solar salvation testimonials that could headline any Sunday miracle extravaganzas, I figured it was time.

I spoke to a few solar companies and like the devil, they encouraged me to eat of the apple, saying anything to make a sale with their fancy presentations about global warming, how power costs are rising and one even had a picture of our blocks security guards on page 17 with a footnote that read "we also believe these three are stealing diesel." I wavered. It sounded too good to be true but when they threw in the offer of 70% financing over 3 years it was over.

Eat of the apple, Adam, for it is good.

Faced with this kind of moral pressure and hopeful that the beads of sweat rolling into my eyes and down from my armpits would be a thing of the past, I signed on the dotted line. They had suckered me in.

It is only six months after that I realized the extent of their lies but I am too old to stay back in silence. I have come with receipts. They told me it would be a good investment but only six months after the transaction, I now realized the extent of their lies and I come with receipts. The truth is that it has been a fantastic investment and my only regret is that I didn't do it earlier.

Solar should be booming right now for consumers and I have been surprised at how low the penetration is given the obvious benefits. As a Christian, I don’t want you to suffer so let me just tell you that Carbon can help you. Treat Chijioke and I as your account officers and email us at founders@getcarbon.co with the subject line “i love apples”. But first let me tell you why we are where we are.

My February bill. N35k out of N1mm and even then I am gunning to fight that :-)

1. They're Engineers, Not Salespeople (And It Shows)

Solar companies seem determined to prove they graduated top of their engineering class rather than explain why their product makes sense for your wallet. Ask a simple question like "Will this save me money?" and suddenly you're drowning in a sea of technical jargon:

"Well, you see, our 5kVA inverter with MPPT charge controller modules optimizes the 545w monocrystalline cell efficiency coefficient while maintaining a 90% depth of discharge on the lithium ferro phosphate batteries..."

Translation: "Yes, it will save you money."

What they should be saying: "This system will cost about N390,000 monthly for two years, then almost nothing for the next 23 years, while your current power situation costs N300,000+ every month forever."

They'll spend 20 minutes discussing the angle of your roof relative to the equator but won't mention that after financing, you'll have essentially free electricity for two decades.

2. The Naira Is Falling, But Your Solar Investment Won't

Here's what solar companies aren't emphasizing: You're financing in a currency that's depreciating faster than ice cream on a Lagos afternoon.

When you take out a 3-year loan for solar in Nigeria:

• The Naira typically depreciates 20-30% annually

• Electricity tariffs increase regularly (Band A is already N209.50 per unit!)

• Fuel prices for generators continue climbing

• Meanwhile, your loan payment stays fixed

In real terms, your debt gets cheaper every month, while alternative energy costs get more expensive. By year three of your solar system, that "expensive" monthly payment you worried about will feel like pocket change compared to what your neighbors are paying for electricity and generator fuel.

Do you honestly believe NEPA/PHCN/DISCO (or whatever they're called this week) will suddenly become more reliable and cheaper? What has ever come down in Nigeria apart from the $ value of your pension fund, the amount of sausage in your N100 gala, or your mobile data balance after watching 10 minutes of YouTube?

Remember when I told you to try and buy dollar at N526 and you were laughing with your MBA english about your technical analysis showing reversion to the mean. Ok.

3. It's the Toyota Corolla of Energy Systems (But Better)

Your father's 1987 Corolla is still somehow running today. Your solar system will do the same, except it doesn't need oil changes, has almost no moving parts, and actually gets better with technological improvements.

Solar panels have a 20+ year warranty but often last 30+ years. The inverter might need replacement after 15 years, but that's like changing the battery in your remote control compared to the ongoing costs of traditional power.

Even better? Unlike your father's Corolla, you can upgrade the parts as technology improves. Those solar panels you install today can be supplemented or replaced with more efficient ones in the future, making your system more powerful without replacing everything.

It's like having a car that gets better gas mileage every year instead of worse.

The Truth About Solar Economics

Let's break down the real numbers for a typical family needing to run 2 ACs for 8 hours nightly:

Current Monthly Energy Costs:

• Grid electricity (when available): N100,000-150,000

• Generator fuel and maintenance: N150,000-200,000

• Total: N250,000-350,000 monthly

• 25-year cost: A staggering N75-105 million (and that's assuming prices don't increase!)

Solar System Financed Through Carbon:

• System cost: N9,270,000

• Down payment: N2,317,500

• Monthly payment (24 months): N390,000

• After financing: N5,000/month maintenance

• 25-year total cost: Approximately N14 million

The savings? Over N60 million across the system's lifetime.

For small businesses operating during daylight hours, the numbers are even better since you'll use solar power directly without battery drainage.

How Carbon Makes Solar Accessible

At Carbon, we're not just offering financing; we're offering energy independence. Our financing packages are designed specifically for solar systems with:

• Competitive interest rates

• Flexible down payment options

• Terms from 12-36 months

• Simple application process

• No hidden fees

The process is straightforward: choose your system, apply for financing through Carbon, and start your journey to energy independence while your neighbors continue their toxic relationship with their generators and the electricity company.

In Conclusion

Again, treat Chijioke and I as your account officers and email us at founders@getcarbon.co with the subject line “i love apples”.

Your solar power company isn't lying about the technology - they're just terrible at explaining why it makes financial sense. They're too busy explaining chemical reactions when they should be showing you the money you'll save.

Yes, solar costs something upfront. But it’s one of the few upgrades that literally pays you back. Your kitchen renovation? It won’t send you monthly deposits for 25 years.

And the best part? You get to casually mention "Oh, we're solar-powered now" at your next family gathering while your cousin's generator starts coughing like it has bronchitis. (no offense to all bronchitis sufferers)