Many streets in Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor and Yenagoa are now on Band A. Band A costs more. In return, PHED promises more light. Does that mean you no longer need solar?
What Band A means
Customers are grouped into bands by hours of supply:
| Band | Promised supply |
|---|---|
| A | 20+ hours a day |
| B | 16+ hours |
| C | 12+ hours |
| D | 8+ hours |
| E | 4+ hours |
Band A pays the highest price per unit. Check your bill for your current rate, because NERC changes tariffs from time to time.
Two real-life cases
Case 1: Band A light really comes
You get about 20 hours a day. Your generator rarely runs. Here, solar mainly cuts your bill. A small hybrid system can cover the short outages and reduce units bought. Payback is slower.
Case 2: Band A light still goes
You pay Band A rates. But light still goes for long hours. So you also buy petrol. This is the worst case. You pay twice.
Here, solar makes a big difference. It removes most of the generator cost and cuts grid units too.
Why hybrid is the smart answer
A hybrid inverter:
- Uses solar first in the day.
- Uses PHED power when it is on.
- Charges the battery from whichever is available.
- Runs your home from the battery when both are off.
So you get the good part of Band A and the safety of solar. Read hybrid vs off-grid.
Check your real cost per unit
Take your bill. Divide the total by the kWh used. That is your real price per unit. See how to read your PHCN bill.
If you are billed wrongly
- Write down your supply hours every day for a few weeks.
- Complain to PHED in writing.
- If it is not fixed, go to the NERC Forum office.
We install hybrid systems across Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor and Yenagoa.
