Solar Works – capacity development for PV-diesel hybrid solutions in Nigeria

Nigeria has high solar potential, while many companies and social institutions rely on diesel or petrol generators because the electricity supply is often unreliable. Photovoltaic hybrid systems can reduce fuel consumption and improve the reliability of electricity supply. Their market uptake, however, depends on qualified local providers, reliable power-consumption audits, practical training capacities and convincing reference projects. Building on the initiatives Enabling PV Nigeria, Let’s make solar work and Solar works, save money, the project focused on strengthening the supply side of the Nigerian PV market and on preparing additional applications for PV-diesel and PV-petrol hybrid systems.

The project combined three measures. First, three power-consumption audits were carried out at Nigerian companies and social institutions. Local experts documented the situation on site, installed metering equipment, transmitted electricity-consumption data to an analysis tool in Germany and used the results to dimension suitable PV solutions and prepare power-audit reports. Second, a five-day in-house training for lecturers and trainers was implemented at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Lagos. In addition to NAPTIN trainers, representatives of Nigerian solar companies, installers and experts from the Nigerian Institute of Architects participated. Third, ideas into energy, eclareon and Econsultants organised a two-day seminar in Lagos on specific PV solutions for urban and rural applications, including mini-PV, solar-powered shops, solar module production and project financing.