Consumer view: This Nigerian entrepreneur fights power outages with solar

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Nigerian entrepreneur Hosannah Omole began his business as a solar system retailer, but after fitting his shop with solar, he felt its reliability, which inspired him to start selling appliances bundled with solar systems. In an interview with Renewables Rising, he shares his unique perspective on how his solar has helped win over new clients in Ondo State.

• A clear market need drove Omole’s decision to integrate solar: customers were buying appliances but lacked reliable power. "I wanted to offer a complete solution," he says, "the appliance and the power to use it."

• His company  leverages its solar system as a "live showroom." When potential customers visit, they can see the system in action, which helps build confidence and simplifies their decision-making process. 

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Nigeria’s unstable electricity supply prompted his venture. Many of our customers rely heavily on generators as backup, which is costly and inconvenient. By introducing inverters and solar solutions, we wanted to provide them with a more reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative. It’s really about offering a practical solution to a problem we all face every day.’

The practical insight he has gained, he says, is that solar truly helps solve a major problem people face every day. Installing an inverter or solar system in Nigeria’s weak grid has proven to be a very practical and feasible solution. Seeing how it works in-house has only strengthened my confidence when recommending it to customers, particularly regarding backup duration and appliance compatibility.

He also notes that the demand for solar-compatible appliances like refrigerators, fans, and TVs is particularly strong, as these are the core items people want to power during outages. The recent fuel subsidy removal has also driven an increase in demand, as running generators has become prohibitively expensive.

While he currently offers discounts to make solar more accessible, Omole believes a broader solution lies in strategic partnerships with financial institutions to offer payment plans. He advocates for greater public awareness and education about the long-term benefits of solar energy.

Omole's advice to potential solar adopters mirrors his own approach: "Start small, use a trusted installer, and explore what options work best for your needs." He sees solar not as a full replacement for the national grid but as the best support system to ensure a consistent, reliable power supply for businesses and homes alike.