Day: 3 April 2023

The electrical distribution system in Lagos has a reputation for being highly unpredictable and chaotic. Even on good days, electricity may only be available for up to 8 hours, but on average, it’s rare to have more than two hours of uninterrupted power supply. Quite often, families have to deal with complete blackouts.

How does this affect the daily lives of families living in Lagos?

Limited electricity supply has a huge impact on Lagosian families. Prioritising energy usage is crucial, resulting in fewer family activities and significant challenges in completing even simple household chores. This creates an uncomfortable atmosphere, with stressed parents struggling to cope and unhappy children.

Underwhelming, to say the least.

In our conversation with Adekunle, a devoted husband and father of three, we gained valuable insight into the harsh realities that so many families face living in Lagos. Adekunle shared with us that while he juggles the demands of family life and work, his anxiety levels are high. However, what troubled him the most was the unpredictable power supply that he and his family had to endure. He says, “Being a parent and an employee in Lagos is not easy. You wake up as early as 5:00 am, hoping to beat the traffic and make it to work by 9:00 am. After a long day, you leave work around 5:00 pm only to get stuck in traffic for another 4 hours. When you finally get home, all you want is some rest, but instead, you’re hit with a blackout and a heatwave.”

In an effort to cope with the situation, Adekunle decided to invest in a generator, but this proved to be a short-lived solution. Soon after his purchase, he lost a colleague, Alex, to a generator accident. Tragically, Alex went to bed with his generator on standby, but he was suffocated in his sleep by the poisonous carbon monoxide emitted from the generator’s exhaust. This was a defining moment in Adekunle’s life. He knew his family desperately needed a reliable source of electricity, but using a technology that could put their lives at risk was not an option.

According to reports, over the last decade, more than 10,000 lives have been lost due to generator fumes. This is a sobering reminder that some of the very technology built to improve lives can also pose significant risks to health and safety. Adekunle started to research alternative ways of generating power that were safe and reliable. He eventually learned about the benefits of solar energy, but he faced a challenge: the high cost of purchasing and installing new solar panels. He was lucky enough to have the savings to pay for a standard inverter system and batteries. To reduce costs, he opted for second-hand solar panels, which were 50% cheaper than new ones. Instead of spending over $700 for five new solar panels, he was able to purchase second-hand ones for only $350. Adekunle envisions a Lagos where solar panels are easily accessible and affordable to everyone. He believes that if people didn’t have to spend exorbitant amounts of money to install a solar energy system, more families would make the switch and improve their living standards. Ever since the installation of the solar panels in his home, a noticeable change has swept through the air. With a playful tone, he asks, “Do you know that gratifying sensation of sipping on a cold drink on a scorching day? That’s the exact feeling of fulfilment we experience in our daily lives now!” He doesn’t need to fit eight hours of work into two due to a lack of electricity and is finally able to unwind watching some TV after a long day at work. With the constant threat of power outages no longer looming over him, he feels a sense of relief and less anxiety. He adds “Now, there’s not a single complaint when it’s time for the kids to do their homework. The white lights are more than enough motivation, unlike before when they had to settle for a candle as their makeshift reading lamp.” Watching the happiness and joy radiating from his family confirms that his investment was worthwhile, even if for no other reason.

And what about the performance of solar panels during the rainy season?

Living in Lagos, families are accustomed to power outages occurring at the slightest

hint of rain, a frustrating experience that is often accompanied by a collective sigh of disappointment from the community. Before installing solar panels, Adekunle had concerns that they might not generate sufficient energy during the rainy season. However, he soon learned that photovoltaic cells, the key components of solar panels, could generate power from both direct and indirect sunlight. This meant that even on cloudy days, they didn’t have to worry about electricity disruptions. The days of enduring frequent power outages are now a distant memory for Adekunle. However, he believes that no one in Lagos should have to face this reality.

To improve the situation, more families should have access to affordable second-hand solar panels. This would positively impact thousands of lives and bring back smiles to countless children’s faces.