In Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa, most homes have a generator. Some have the small petrol one. Some have diesel. Now many are looking at solar. Which is cheapest?
Start cost vs running cost
There are two kinds of cost:
- Start cost. What you pay on day one.
- Running cost. What you pay every day after.
| Petrol generator | Diesel generator | Solar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | Low | Medium to high | High |
| Fuel | Every day | Every day | None |
| Servicing | Often | Often | Light |
| Noise | Loud | Very loud | Silent |
| Fumes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Life | A few years | Longer | Panels 25 years, lithium 8–15 years |
Petrol: the small home generator
At about ₦1,500 per litre in Port Harcourt (October 2026):
- 4 litres a day ≈ ₦180,000 a month
- 8 litres a day ≈ ₦360,000 a month
Add plugs, oil, repairs and a new generator every few years.
Diesel: for bigger loads
Diesel generators are common for big homes, offices and businesses. They handle heavy loads better. But they cost more to buy, they are loud, and servicing is costly. Read solar vs diesel for businesses.
Solar: pay once, then almost nothing
A 3kVA solar system starts from about ₦2.8M. A 6kVA family system with 16kWh lithium starts from about ₦4.9M. After that, sunlight is free.
Example: you spend ₦360,000 a month on petrol. A ₦4.9M system pays for itself in about 14 months.
Can you keep the generator?
Yes. Many people keep it for backup. A hybrid inverter can use it to charge batteries on very cloudy days. It runs for one hour instead of all night.
Work out your own numbers
Use the free solar calculator. Put in your weekly fuel spend. It shows your yearly cost and payback.
