When light goes, many homes in Port Harcourt reach for rechargeable fans and lamps. They help. But are they cheaper than solar in the long run?
What rechargeables do well
- They are cheap to buy.
- No installer needed.
- Good for a few hours.
Where they fall short
- They need light to charge. If NEPA does not bring light, they stay empty.
- Batteries wear out. Most die in 1 to 2 years.
- They are small. One fan, one room.
- No fridge, no TV.
Side by side
| Rechargeables | Small solar system (3kVA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Start cost | Low | From about ₦2.8M |
| Needs grid to charge | Yes | No, the sun charges it |
| Whole house | No | Yes |
| Fridge and TV | No | Yes |
| Life | 1 to 2 years | Panels 25 years, lithium 8–15 years |
A family example
A family buys 3 rechargeable fans and 4 lamps. They replace them often. They still run a generator for the TV and fridge. Over a few years, that adds up to a lot.
A 3kVA system runs all of it from the sun. No fuel. No buying fans again.
A good middle step
If budget is tight now, start with a small system and grow it later. Read start small and expand your solar and solar for fans and lights only.
