How much is a complete solar system in Nigeria? On 16 September 2026, installed packages observed across Nigerian sellers: 1.5 kVA ₦550k–₦1.2m; 2.5 kVA ₦900k–₦1.8m; 3.5 kVA ₦1.6m–₦2.8m; 5 kVA ₦2m–₦5.5m; 10 kVA ₦5m–₦12m. The battery is 35–45% of the price; lithium at the top of each range buys roughly twice the usable storage and life of tubular at the bottom.
| System | Panels | PV kWp | Battery | Runs | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 kVA1.2 kW continuous · 12 V bus | 2–3 × 400–550 W | 1–1.5 | 1 × 12 V 200 Ah tubular or 12 V 100 Ah lithium2.4 nominal / 1.2 usable kWh | Lights, fans, TV, phones, laptop, small fridge (daytime) | ₦550k–₦1.2m |
| 2.5 kVA2 kW continuous · 24 V bus | 4 × 450–550 W | 1.8–2.2 | 2 × 200 Ah tubular or 24 V 100 Ah LiFePO₄4.8 nominal / 2.4 usable (tubular) kWh | Adds a full-time fridge and a desktop PC | ₦900k–₦1.8m |
| 3.5 kVA2.8 kW continuous · 24 V bus | 6 × 550 W | 2.7–3.3 | 24 V 200 Ah LiFePO₄ (≈5 kWh)5 nominal / 4.5 usable kWh | Small flat; freezer + fridge; one 1 HP inverter AC in the daytime | ₦1.6m–₦2.8m |
| 5 kVA4 kW continuous · 48 V bus | 8–12 × 550 W | 4.4–6.6 | 48 V 100–200 Ah LiFePO₄ (5–10 kWh)5–10 nominal / 4.5–9 usable kWh | Three-bedroom home; one 1–1.5 HP inverter AC into the evening | ₦2m–₦5.5m |
| 10 kVA8 kW continuous · 48 V bus | 16–20 × 550 W | 8.8–11 | 48 V 300–400 Ah LiFePO₄ (15–20 kWh)15–20 nominal / 13.5–18 usable kWh | Large home, 2–3 ACs, pumping machine; small office or shop | ₦5m–₦12m |
Which size is yours
1.5 kVA and 2.5 kVA
Starter systems for a room, a shop or a flat without a fridge (1.5 kVA, 12 V, 2–3 × 400–550 W, ₦550k–₦1.2m) or with one (2.5 kVA, 24 V, 4 × 450–550 W, ₦900k–₦1.8m). They do not run air conditioning, pumps or irons. Most buyers who start here upgrade within two years; if an AC is in your plan, buy a 48 V inverter now and add panels and battery later rather than replacing a 24 V system.
How the sizes are built
Every ZEUS system page uses the same method: a load audit sets daily energy (kWh) and simultaneous power (W); the city's worst-month yield sets the array; overnight energy sets the battery; simultaneous power plus surge sets the inverter. Hardware prices are the component ranges on the panel, battery and inverter pages; installation adds 10–15% for labour and balance-of-system.
E_battery_nominal = E_overnight ÷ DoD ÷ 0.92
Inverter_kVA ≥ P_simultaneous × 1.25 ÷ 0.8
Installed ≈ (panels + battery + inverter + BoS) × 1.10–1.15
Run it for your own appliances in the sizing calculator. Yields used: Lagos 3.15, Port Harcourt 2.88, Abuja 3.15, Kano 4 kWh/kWp/day in the worst month (Global Solar Atlas).
Where the money goes
| Component | Share | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 35–45% | Highest with lithium; the component you will replace first |
| Panels | 25–30% | Falls as a share when the battery grows |
| Inverter / charge controller | 15–20% | |
| Installation labour | 10–15% | Roof type and distance to battery room drive it |
| Mounting, cable, protection, earthing | 5–10% | Often under-quoted; see installation |
The wide price range for each size is mostly the battery decision (tubular vs lithium, 5 vs 10 kWh) and the panel count (a Lagos build needs more than a Kano build for the same load). A "5 kVA" quotation at ₦2m and one at ₦5.5m are not the same system; compare the bill of materials, not the headline.
FAQ
What is the cheapest solar system that can run a fridge?
A 2.5 kVA, 24 V system with 4 × 450–550 W panels and either two 200 Ah tubular batteries or a 24 V 100 Ah LiFePO₄ pack: ₦900k–₦1.8m installed. A 1.5 kVA can run a small fridge in daytime only.
Is a 5kVA solar system enough for a 3-bedroom flat?
Yes for the common load profile (fridge, freezer, fans, lights, TV, laptops, one inverter AC in the evening) provided it carries enough panels for your city (7 in Kano, 8 in Lagos, 9 in Port Harcourt for 12 kWh/day, sized on the worst month) and at least 5 kWh of lithium, ideally 10 kWh if the AC runs past midnight. Details on the 5 kVA page.
Why do quotations for the same kVA differ by millions of naira?
Because kVA only describes the inverter. Battery chemistry and size (35–45% of cost), panel count and brand, mounting complexity and the installer's margin explain the spread. Ask for an itemised bill of materials with model numbers.
Should I buy a package or have a system designed?
Packages are a starting point. Have the installer do a load audit and show the sizing for your city and month; if the package's panel count does not change between Lagos and Kano, it was not designed.
Sources
- SolarDecide — 5kVA system cost breakdown, Lagos/Abuja dealers (Apr 2026) — solardecide.com/blog/5kva-solar-system-cost-nigeria-2026
- Mercury Direct — 5kVA inverter guide, prices and batteries (2026) — mercurydirect.com.ng/5kva-inverter-guide-nigeria
- Kara.com.ng — 2026 solar price list (retailer blog) — blog.kara.com.ng/2026-solar-price-list-how-much-does-a-5kva-system-cost-in-nigeria-today
- BusinessDay — What it costs to install solar in Nigeria today — businessday.ng/energy/article/what-it-costs-to-install-solar-in-nigeria-today
- Solar Energy Supply Stores — panel, battery and inverter price lists (25 Aug 2026) — solarenergysupplystores.com/solar-panel-price-in-nigeria