My Honest Take on Solar, Generators, and Normal electricity : Why Solar Wins.

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When it comes to choosing between solar power, generator, and the regular electricity we get from the national grid, I think I’d confidently go with solar. Even though I’ve only really used normal electricity and generator in my own home, I’ve also had close experiences with solar through friends, family, and neighbours. And from everything I’ve seen, solar just feels like the smartest and most peaceful choice at the moment.

Let me start with the normal electricity we get from the national grid. It’s the most common source of power in Nigeria, no doubt. But if we’re being honest, it’s also the most unreliable. One minute there’s light, the next minute it’s gone. Sometimes, there’s no warning. Other times, it could be a small issue and bam - no light for days. For about two days now , we haven't had light in my area just because of a wire spark, and that has been causing serious problems.

Aside from that, there’s the constant issue of bills. Whether you used the light or not, you’re expected to pay. Especially when you’re on estimated billing, it can be frustrating paying for power you never even enjoyed. So, even though it’s convenient when it’s working, the inconsistency just makes it stressful.

Now let’s talk about generators. Generators are like plan B for almost every household in Nigeria. I’ve used them many times, and honestly, they’ve saved me on several occasions when I needed to charge my phone or power a fan during those intense heat periods. In fact, just yesterday, it was what i used to power up my phone and my power bank. But the thing with generators is the cost. I bought fuel yesterday, and even though it was better than buying from other filling stations, it still wasn't cheap. Another issue with generators is that there are times when you want to rest, but the loud sound of the gen just won’t let you have a sound sleep. Some generators are so noisy that they can disturb the whole compound. And then there’s the smell, the smoke, and the fear of carbon monoxide.

Now, this is where solar stands out for me. First of all, it’s renewable. The sun is literally always there, and it’s free. Once you’ve installed the solar panels and the battery system, that’s basically it. No more monthly bills, no daily runs to the filling station, and no noise. One of my friends who lives just a street away from me uses solar care in their house, and every time I visit, there’s always light. It doesn’t matter if there isn't light in the whole area—his house stays lit. Fans are spinning, phones are charging, and the TV is on. That kind of setup just gives peace of mind.

For someone like me who doesn’t like heat at all and who values comfort and uninterrupted power, I feel like solar gives me the kind of freedom I want. I can watch movies, charge my devices, and even do some light work from home without worrying about whether there’ll be power or not. I don't have to be checking the weather or the fuel gauge or listening to the annoying sound of a generator. And the best part? It’s all within my control. No waiting for NEPA officials to “bring light” or hoping there isn't fuel scarcity.

If I ever have the chance to fully invest in one of the three, it’s definitely going to be solar. It may be costly to set up at first, but in the long run, it pays off—financially, mentally, and environmentally.

Thanks for reading.

Posted Using INLEO