When people invest in solar energy, they expect peace of mind — no more blackouts, no more fuel stress. But for many, the reality falls short.
Why?
Because the system was sized wrong.
In this guide, Michael Olaitan breaks down how to size a solar energy system properly — using real-life numbers, practical steps, and a case study from a Nigerian family that finally got it right.
Why Most Solar Systems Fail to Deliver
What’s the point of installing solar if you still have to fuel your generator every night?
That’s the unfortunate reality for many Nigerian homeowners.
The problem isn’t the technology — it’s the sizing. People guess how many panels they need or copy someone else’s setup, without calculating their own energy needs.
Michael Olaitan has seen it too often: people spending money on solar systems that can’t handle their daily load. The result? Generator dependence, frustration, and wasted investment.
3 Common Solar Sizing Mistakes
1. Guesswork instead of calculations
Most people don’t know how much energy they actually use. They assume 4 or 6 panels will do the job — often, they’re wrong.
2. Ignoring nighttime needs
Your solar panels don’t work at night — that’s when your batteries take over. If your battery bank is too small, you’ll lose power overnight.
3. Forgetting energy-hungry appliances
Freezers, AC units, pumps, irons — they consume more than most people expect. If your system isn’t built to handle them, it’ll crash under pressure.
The 4-Step Guide to Sizing Your Solar System
Michael Olaitan recommends using this simple 4-step method to get it right:
Step 1: Calculate Your Daily Energy Use
List all the appliances you use and how long you use them each day. Multiply wattage by hours to get daily consumption in watt-hours, then divide by 1,000 to get kWh.
Example:
2 fans × 60W × 10 hours = 1,200Wh
TV × 100W × 4 hours = 400Wh
Total = 1.6kWh per day
Step 2: Match with Available Sunlight
In Nigeria, most areas receive about 4–6 effective sun hours per day. If you use 6kWh/day and get 5 sun hours: 6 ÷ 5 = 1.2kW of panel output needed. Add a 20% buffer, and install ~1.5kW to be safe.
Step 3: Size Your Battery Bank
Your batteries carry you through the night. Estimate how much energy you use after sunset and install battery capacity to match (or exceed) it. Nighttime needs = 5kWh? Then install at least 6–7kWh of battery storage.
Step 4: Plan for Future Growth
Your needs will grow — especially as you buy more devices or appliances. Choose inverters and systems that allow for future expansion without needing a full overhaul.
Real-Life Case Study: A Family of 5 in Lagos
Michael Olaitan and his team recently helped a family of five who had already invested in solar — but still needed their generator every night.
Here’s what they had:
2 inverter AC units
1 deep freezer
TVs, fans, bulbs
A water pump
And an unending Netflix routine
After auditing their system, Michael discovered their daily energy use was around 17.4kWh. Their original solar setup was underpowered.
The Fix:
Installed 4.2kW solar panel array (based on 5 sun hours + 20% buffer).
Added a 10kWh lithium battery bank for nighttime power.
Installed a 5kVA hybrid inverter to power their load with room to grow.
The result?No more generator. No more power anxiety. Just smooth, silent, reliable solar — 24/7.
Final Thoughts
The goal of solar isn’t just to power a bulb — it’s to give you freedom, peace of mind, and control over your energy. And that starts with proper sizing.
If you’re ready to switch to solar or upgrade what you have, let powernow.io help you size it with confidence — and save you from costly mistakes.
