By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

Ahead of Nigeria Solar Generator Day, stakeholders in the renewable energy and finance sectors have called for increased investment in solar energy technology, highlighting opportunities in a market where 41 million businesses and 17 million households spend an estimated $8 billion annually on fuel for generators.

The event, co-hosted by ZE-Gen, GOGLA and VeraSol, highlighted the growing momentum behind the transition from petrol and diesel generators to renewable energy solutions, while exploring ways to accelerate the adoption of solar-powered alternatives across Nigeria.

Organisers said the event comes at a critical time for Nigeria, one of the world’s most generator-dependent countries, with more than 86 million people lacking access to electricity and millions of homes and businesses relying on self-generation for their power needs.

They said focus would also be on market opportunities, commercial pathways, technology performance and market development, with discussions centred on connecting investors, distributors and solution providers, improving standards and supporting large-scale deployment of solar energy systems.

According to the Programme Director of ZE-Gen, Lily Beadle, Nigeria’s solar generator market has reached a pivotal stage and now requires increased investment and collaboration to unlock its full potential.

Beadle said ZE-Gen is combining research, technology innovation and partnerships to build a scalable market for solar-powered alternatives capable of replacing polluting fossil fuel generators.

“ZE-Gen is helping to turn innovation into real-world deployment in Nigeria by combining research, technology innovation and partnerships to build a scalable market for solar generator solutions in place of polluting fossil fuel generators,” she said.

She added that Nigeria Solar Generator Day demonstrates that the sector has reached a critical moment, requiring greater investment, philanthropic support and collaboration to rapidly scale clean energy solutions and expand access to reliable electricity.

Country Representative for Nigeria at GOGLA, Sarah Odumwegu-Ojukwu, described Nigeria as one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic energy markets, where households and businesses are increasingly seeking reliable and affordable alternatives to diesel generators.

“Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic energy markets, where households and businesses are actively seeking reliable, healthier alternatives to costly diesel. Solar generators are that alternative — and the opportunity is enormous,” she said.

She noted that the event would help spotlight the investment potential of solar generators while fostering alignment on quality standards, policy development and the future direction of Nigeria’s energy sector.

Ruth Kimani of VeraSol stressed the importance of maintaining high product quality and performance standards as the market expands.

She said reliable testing, certification and performance verification would be essential to building confidence among consumers and investors, while reducing risks associated with solar energy investments.

“As the solar generator market in Nigeria expands, ensuring product quality and performance will be critical to building confidence among customers and investors,” Kimani said.

A recent ZE-Gen report titled Understanding Nigeria’s Fossil Fuel Generator Challenge estimates that about 41 million small businesses and 17 million households currently depend on petrol and diesel generators, spending approximately $8 billion annually on fuel.

The report found that a standard solar generator system could meet up to 85 per cent of the typical energy demand of many users, eliminating fuel costs and reducing exposure to fuel price volatility.