Introduction

Many Nigerians switch to solar hoping to reduce their NEPA bills, eliminate fuel cost, and enjoy 24/7 power.
But sometimes, they start noticing:

❌ Solar charging slowly
❌ Backup not lasting
❌ Prepaid units finishing fast
❌ Batteries getting weak
❌ Inverter switching off often

Most of the time, the problem is NOT the solar product — it’s simple mistakes that reduce efficiency.

In this guide, Solarzone Nigeria reveals the top mistakes people make that increase their electricity bills and weaken their solar system — and how to fix them.

⭐ 1️⃣ Undersized Solar Panels

This is the number one mistake.

If your panels are too few or too small, they cannot fully charge the batteries.
When this happens, your inverter automatically switches to PHCN to complete charging.

Result:

⚡ Higher electricity bills
⚡ Shorter backup
⚡ Weak batteries

Solution:

Install enough solar panels:

• 2–4 panels for 2-bedroom

• 6–10 panels for 3-bedroom

• 10–14 panels for 4-bedroom

Solarzone ensures correct panel sizing for your home.

⭐ 2️⃣ Using PWM Instead of MPPT Controller

PWM controllers:

• Waste sunlight

• Charge slowly

• Perform poorly in cloudy weather

Result:

⚡ Lower efficiency
⚡ More PHCN usage
⚡ High NEPA bills

Solution:

Upgrade to MPPT 60A–100A.

MPPT controllers:
✔ Charge 2–3× faster
✔ Handle low-light conditions
✔ Reduce PHCN dependency

⭐ 3️⃣ Wrong Inverter Settings

If your inverter is set incorrectly, it may:

• Use PHCN instead of solar

• Charge batteries with PHCN unnecessarily

• Discharge batteries too low

• Switch to grid too quickly

Result:

⚡ Higher NEPA consumption
⚡ Faster battery damage

Solution:

Solarzone configures:
✔ Correct charging voltage
✔ Correct battery type
✔ Correct cutoff settings
✔ Correct grid priority

⭐ 4️⃣ Using High-Watt Appliances on Solar

Some appliances should never run on small or medium solar systems:

❌ Electric iron
❌ Kettle
❌ Hot plate
❌ Electric cooker
❌ Water heater
❌ Air fryer
❌ Deep freezer (old models)

These appliances will:

⚡ Drain batteries fast
⚡ Force inverter to switch to PHCN
⚡ Increase units consumed

Solution:

Use energy-efficient alternatives:
✔ Inverter fridge
✔ BLDC fans
✔ LED bulbs
✔ Low-watt TVs

⭐ 5️⃣ Running Too Many Appliances at Night

Smooth solar usage requires balance.

At night:

• Sunlight is gone

• Only battery is working

Running multiple heavy appliances drains your batteries quickly.

Solution:

Night usage should be limited to:
✔ Fans
✔ Lights
✔ TV
✔ Charging devices
✔ Router

Avoid night use of:
❌ Freezer
❌ Pump
❌ AC (except large lithium systems)

⭐ 6️⃣ Dirty Solar Panels

Dust, bird droppings, and stains reduce solar input by 20–35%.

Result:

⚡ Slow charging
⚡ Inverter switches to PHCN
⚡ Higher NEPA bills

Solution:

Clean panels every 2–3 weeks.

Solarzone can schedule panel cleaning and maintenance.

⭐ 7️⃣ Weak or Aging Batteries

Weak batteries often:

• Charge slowly

• Discharge fast

• Force inverter to use PHCN backup

Result:

⚡ More PHCN usage
⚡ Short backup time

Solution:

Test your batteries:
✔ Tubular: Replace every 4–6 years
✔ Lithium: Replace every 8–12 years

Solarzone performs professional battery health tests.

⭐ 8️⃣ Bad Wiring and Undersized Cables

Thin or poor-quality cables cause:

• Voltage drop

• Heat buildup

• Power loss

• Slow charging

Result:

⚡ High NEPA bills
⚡ Weak performance

Solution:

Use only:
✔ 6mm or 10mm solar cable
✔ 25mm–50mm battery cable

Solarzone rewires systems to improve efficiency.

⭐ 9️⃣ Wrong Solar Panel Angle

Panels that are too flat or wrongly positioned receive less sunlight.

Result:

⚡ Lower solar generation
⚡ More PHCN charging

Solution:

Adjust tilt to:
✔ 15°–30° depending on roof
✔ Facing East/West for early/late sun
✔ Facing South for maximum light

Solarzone optimizes panel angle for all installations.

⭐ 🔟 Connecting All House Loads to the Inverter

Some homes connect the entire house to the inverter.
This drains the batteries too quickly.

Result:

⚡ Inverter switches to PHCN often
⚡ Units drain fast

Solution:

Connect ONLY essential loads:
✔ Fans
✔ Lights
✔ TV
✔ Decoder
✔ Router

Leave heavy appliances on normal grid unless you have a large system.

⭐ 11️⃣ Using Fake or Low-Quality Components

Fake:

• Batteries

• Panels

• Controllers

…deliver poor performance.

Result:

⚡ Short backup
⚡ More PHCN usage
⚡ Frequent breakdowns

Solution:

Buy from trusted brands through Solarzone.

⭐ 12️⃣ No Annual Solar Maintenance

Solar systems require light but regular maintenance:

• Panel cleaning

• Battery health check

• Controller optimization

• Wiring inspection

Without maintenance:

⚡ Efficiency drops
⚡ Bills increase

Solarzone provides annual maintenance packages.

⭐ How Solarzone Helps You Avoid These Mistakes

Solarzone delivers:

⭐ Free energy audit
⭐ Correct system sizing
⭐ Proper load distribution
⭐ MPPT optimization
⭐ Quality installation
⭐ Long-term maintenance
⭐ Genuine products
⭐ Expert technical support

Every system we install is designed to lower your electricity bills, not increase them.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Most solar problems in Nigeria are caused by avoidable mistakes.
With the right configuration, appliances, and components, your solar will:

✔ Charge faster
✔ Last longer
✔ Reduce bills
✔ Power your home 24/7

Let Solarzone Nigeria optimize your solar system and eliminate unnecessary electricity costs.

💥 Call to Action

⚡ Want to reduce your solar-related electricity bills?
Contact Solarzone Nigeria for inspection, upgrades, and installation.

📞 Call/WhatsApp: 09091394722