Regular maintenance of solar panels enhances their optimal performance, but how much does it cost to maintain a solar panel per kWh in Nigeria? This is the focus of this discussion.
Solar panel maintenance costs per kWh in Nigeria are not fixed; they vary depending on the kind of maintenance that you want to carry out and other related factors. However, the solar panel maintenance cost annually is relatively affordable for residential systems, but it may be a bit more expensive when the solar system is complex.
Solar panel maintenance occurs in different forms and the cost of maintenance vary depending on type of solar panels, size of the system, warranty and service contracts, etc. So, to determine the solar panel maintenance costs per kWh in Nigeria, these factors play an important role.
However, in the subsequent sections of this article, we’ll be discussing in detail how much it will cost you to maintain a solar panel per kWh in Nigeria and unveiling a unique formula that you can use to calculate with ease. Stay tuned!
Solar Panel Maintenance Activities in Nigeria
Maintenance of solar panels can take different forms. And each of these maintenance activities has its own separate cost. The solar panel maintenance activities in Nigeria are:
- Cleaning: This involves removing dust, dirt, and debris from the solar panels
- Monitoring: This involves tracking the performance of solar panel and detecting abnormalities, if any.
- Repair and Replacement: This form of solar panel maintenance involves repairing or replacing certain components of the solar system.
- Inspection: This involves routine check of the solar panels to identify potential issues such as cracks, corrosion, or loose connections, allowing for timely repairs
Factors Affecting Solar Panel Maintenance Costs in Nigeria
The factors that affect solar panel maintenance costs in Nigeria are listed below:
- Size of the Solar Panel: The larger the solar panels, the higher the maintenance costs
- Location: Regions with higher dust and pollution levels incurs higher maintenance costs
- Solar Panel Type: The cost of maintaining polycrystalline solar panels may differ from that of monocrystalline panels
- Installation Quality: Proper installation of solar panel reduces maintenance costs and vice-versa
- Warranty and Service Contracts: Solar panels with a warranty are cost-effective to maintain.
Costs of Solar Panel Maintenance Per kWh in Nigeria
The costs of maintaining solar panels per kWh in Nigeria vary depending on the factors mentioned in the above section.
However, on average, the cost of maintaining residential solar panels annually in Nigeria ranges from ₦20,000 to ₦100,000. Meanwhile, this is just a rough estimate, as it is liable to change over time due to inflation and other factors.
Cost Breakdown of Solar Panel Maintenance Per kWh in Nigeria
The breakdown of the cost is below:
- Cleaning cost: Between ₦5,000 and ₦20,000 per session
- Inspection and monitoring: Between ₦10,000 and ₦30,000 annually
- Repairs and replacements: Between ₦50,000 and ₦200,000, depending on the type of repair and part replaced.
- Service Contracts: Between ₦50,000 and ₦150,000 annually
How to Calculate Solar Panel Maintenance Costs Per kWh in Nigeria
To determine the solar panel maintenance cost per kWh in Nigeria, we’ll need to consider the total annual maintenance cost and the annual energy production of the solar system.
Here’s a simple formula to calculate it:
Maintenance Cost Per kWh = Annual Energy Production (kWh) / Total Annual Maintenance Cost
Example:
Let’s assume that the residential solar system has the following parameters:
- Total Annual Maintenance Cost: ₦50,000
- Annual Energy Production: 5,000 kWh
Let’s use the formula:
Maintenance Cost Per kWh = ₦50,000 / 5,000 kWh = ₦10 per kWh.
From the answer, we can see that the maintenance cost per kWh for a solar panel with a total annual maintenance cost of ₦50,000 and an annual energy production of 5,000 kWh is ₦10 per kWh.
With this, you can easily determine the exact amount it will cost you to maintain your solar panels for optimal performance.
How to Reduce Solar Panel Maintenance Costs per kWh in Nigeria
To reduce the costs of solar panel maintenance per kWh, do this:
- Clean your solar panels regularly
- Buy high-quality solar panels
- Hire certified professional installer to help install the solar panels
- Using solar monitoring devices to track your solar panel performance and fix issues early
- Hire the service contracts to reduce the overall maintenance cost.
Conclusion
The cost of solar panel maintenance per kWh in Nigeria is not fixed; it varies depending on the size of the panel, location, type of solar panel, and warranty, among other numerous factors. However, it is relatively cheaper to maintain residential solar panels than commercial solar systems in Nigeria, especially when the panels are of high quality and properly installed. Meanwhile, to reduce the overall cost of maintaining solar panels in Nigeria, you can employ service contracts.