Tag: solar panels

  • Nigeria’s LPVT solar panels earn global certification

    Nigeria’s LPVT solar panels earn global certification

    In a major stride for Nigeria’s renewable energy sector, LPV Technologies’ locally manufactured solar panels have earned the prestigious TÜV SÜD certification, meeting the rigorous International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, marking a significant boost to the nation’s renewable energy sector.

    The company said in a statement yesterday that the milestone not only affirms the quality of LPVT’s solar modules but also signals a new era for locally produced clean energy solutions in the country.

    According to the company, the TÜV SÜD mark is globally recognized as a symbol of safety, reliability, and performance.

    “For LPVT, this certification validates strong investment in European-standard production processes, precision engineering, and multi-layered quality assurance. The company’s production line, powered by Ecoprogetti technology, one of Europe’s leading solar manufacturing systems, ensures that every panel meets international benchmarks for durability, efficiency, and long-term performance.

    “In a market flooded with low-grade, untraceable solar imports that often fail to deliver promised performance, LPVT’s TÜV-certified panels stand out. Built with advanced monocrystalline cells and tested under both international and local conditions, these panels offer superior energy yield, lower degradation rates, and reliable performance even in low-light environments—an essential feature for Nigeria’s diverse climate.

    “Achieving TÜV SÜD certification is more than a badge; it’s a statement of excellence from our production team,” Head of Operations at LPVT Technologies, Emmanuel Agboola, said.

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    According to him, it confirms that Nigerian-made solar panels are not just viable locally, they’re world-class in quality, reliability, and innovation.

    He said as Nigeria grapples with energy access challenges and seeks to expand its renewable energy footprint, LPVT’s TÜV-certified panels offer a timely and credible solution.

    “With government initiatives pushing for increased local content and reduced reliance on imports, LPVT’s achievement aligns perfectly with national goals,” he said.

    However, he said industry experts believe this development could catalyze a shift in perception around locally manufactured solar products. The company’s strategic approach combines European-standard precision with Nigerian ingenuity. By leveraging local talent and conducting multiple rounds of quality validation, including field testing across various terrains, LPVT ensures that its panels are not only built to last but built for Africa.

    Looking ahead, LPVT’s breakthrough is not just a win for the company, it’s a win for Nigeria’s energy future. By setting a new benchmark for quality and reliability, LPVT is paving the way for other local manufacturers to follow suit, potentially transforming Nigeria into a hub for premium solar technology in West Africa,” the company stated.

    As the sun rises on a new chapter in Nigeria’s energy story, LPVT’s TÜV-certified panels are lighting the way, one project at a time, the company said.

  • Adopt gradual phase-out of imported solar panels, expert advises

    Adopt gradual phase-out of imported solar panels, expert advises

    Finance and business development expert, Dr. Onuoha Nnachi has advised Federal Government to engage in gradual phase-out importation of solar panels into the country. 

    He also called for a policy trust that will promote investment in local production of the panel in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. .

    Last week, Minister of Innovation,  Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji disclosed plans by the Federal Government to ban the importation of solar panel to drive Nigeria’s clean energy transition.

    The Minister maintained the country has the capacity to meet its solar energy demands locally. 

    Reacting to the development of the proposed ban and the implications on the country’s efforts at improving the country’s renewable energy potentials during a briefing on Monday ahead of the forth coming one-day infrastructure deficiency dialogue in Abuja, Nnachi said: “I will not say open Nigerian border for continuous importation of solar-related matters, but we can begin to say that as of today, we only align the percentage.

    “You begin to draw it down, but not only will you reduce the number of importation, but you must also invest in growing the capacity for the production to start. 

    “We have to invest in the production plants to be established, and the federal government injects capital in the form of grants and take up equity in those production plants? If you throw importation at zero, you have opened a floodgate for smuggling.

    ” That will affect the economy. Now, you will deny Customs the money they will make because it will land in Ghana, it will land in Niger, it will land in Cameroon, and it will still enter.

    “So, there should be a gradual phase-out, and that will work. And that phase-out should be equated to the manufacturing capacity of the nation. So, it has to be backed with data.” 

    On the infrastructure dialogue slated for Thursday in Abuja, Nnachi said the theme of the one-day talk shop is “Financing sustainable energy and agricultural infrastructure for economic development.” 

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    According to Nnachi, achieving sustainable energy and agricultural infrastructure development requires investment and bold strategic financing in order to bridge the gap between ambition and action. 

    “We live in a time of unprecedented opportunity and challenge. The global demand for energy is rising, yet we must meet it in ways that preserve our environment for future generations. 

    “At the same time, agriculture, which is essentially the backbone of economies worldwide, faces pressures from climate change, population growth, and the need for greater efficiency. 

    “These are not separate issues; they are deeply interconnected. Sustainable energy powers modern agriculture, and thriving agriculture fuels economic stability. Together, they form a vital cycle that can lift societies out of poverty, create jobs, and drive innovation,” he stated. 

    Nnachi said the dialogue is aimed to achieving establishment of knowledge transfer, infrastructure entrepreneurship scheme, train the trainers scheme, sustainable structure and policy recommendations, among.

    Speakers at the event include: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and his counterpart in the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), among others. 

  • Firm seeks duty-free solar panels

    Firm seeks duty-free solar panels

    An indigenous solar energy company, LPV Technologies, has called for a radical shift in government policy with a call for a zero-import approach to solar panels, arguing that only through local manufacturing can Nigeria truly secure its renewable energy future.

    Speaking  at a press briefing at its newly inaugurated facility in Lagos at the weekend, its Executive Director Yinka Adelodun laid out a bold vision for the future of solar power in the country—a vision that hinges on local production, quality assurance, and supportive government policies.

    Adelodun urged the Federal Government to institute a framework that favours local production by removing import duties on all components used in domestic manufacturing.

     “If you’re importing panels duty-free while we pay duty on everything except the cells, the playing field isn’t level. We expect a zero-import policy on solar panels so that Nigerians can take pride in our own manufacturing capabilities.

     “In a rapidly evolving industry, being flexible and ready to incorporate new technologies is key to staying ahead,” Adelodun said.

    He said while the company’s current capacity is about 100 megawatts, this is only a fraction of Nigeria’s potential.

     “Nigeria needs gigawatts of power every year. Even if we double our capacity, we will still have ample demand locally. And make no mistake—there is also substantial interest from other West African countries like Togo and Cameroon,” he said.

    Adelodun identified challenges such as the sourcing of raw materials. While cells must currently be imported, all other components—glass, aluminium frames, and junction boxes—are either already sourced locally or can be manufactured domestically.

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     “We are working with local companies, like the aluminium facility in Abuja, to meet our needs. The more we localize production, the more we can alleviate forex issues and reduce production costs,” he added.

    Adelodun emphasized that by controlling the supply chain, the company would be able to ensure that every panel meets rigorous quality standards. “You can call us and say, ‘I want five megawatts of solar panels,’ and we will produce it on demand,” he said, adding that the facility is a production of collaboration with European original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

     “What you saw today is a product of collaboration with a European OEM, ensuring our panels are of grid A European standard. We have about six different gates of quality assurance before the final product is finished. This is a level of assurance that imported panels often cannot offer, with between 20per cent and 25per cent of them failing to meet the mark,” he added.

    Speaking on the facility, he said: “We have always believed that seeing is believing. It’s one thing for you to say you have a facility like this; it’s another thing to actually see it and confirm it exists. The journey for this facility started almost two years ago with the mission of deploying solar infrastructure at scale. Today, while many are putting solar panels on their roofs as a band-aid, the real solution lies in harnessing solar and gas to power our economy sustainably.”

    He explained that the facility was created to resolve significant issues faced by the industry, such as developers ordering panels months in advance only to have their shipments delayed by customs or storage issues.

    During the facility tour, Head of Operations, Emmanuel Agboola, reinforced the quality message by highlighting the exceptional durability of the solar panels.

     “Our panels are engineered to last for more than 25 years,” Agboola noted, explaining that the company’s heavy investment in advanced technology and automation allows for a level of quality that can rival—and even exceed—that of imported products.

    Also, the Head of Business Development and Marketing, Juwon Solarin, shared insights into the company’s distribution strategy.

     “We already have multiple sales outlets in place, and our plans include expanding our distribution network significantly.

    “We are calling on more distributors to join us in pushing these high-quality, locally manufactured panels throughout Nigeria. It’s about building a strong ecosystem that can compete on a global level,” he said.

    The company’s new facility, which is entirely operated by Nigerian experts, underscores the potential of homegrown talent in the renewable energy sector.

    Adelodun noted with pride that every person on the production line is an engineer, demonstrating a commitment to not only manufacturing excellence but also capacity building and job creation.

     “We want to replace the importation of panels with Nigerian ingenuity. This is a critical undertaking for our country’s future,” he said.

    The company’s production line is designed with flexibility in mind. Currently using PERC technology, the facility can produce panels ranging from 350-watt to 680-watt configurations and is already configured to adopt emerging technologies like TopCon.

    Adelodun’s address, coupled with Agboola’s and Solarin’s insights, paints a picture of a company determined to lead Nigeria’s renewable energy transition through indigenous production.

    By demanding a zero-import policy and advocating for government support, the company not only aims to create a robust supply chain for high-quality solar panels but also to set a benchmark for the entire renewable energy sector in Nigeria.

    In a country where the national grid is under strain and decentralized micro-grids are becoming increasingly important, this call for zero import is positioned as a critical step towards a sustainable, self-reliant energy future.

    As Nigeria stands on the brink of a renewable revolution, the company’s bold vision and concrete steps toward local manufacturing could well pave the way for a new era in energy security and economic growth.

  • Imo Govt denies imposing fines on solar panels, generators

    Imo Govt denies imposing fines on solar panels, generators

    The Imo state government has debunked reports that it was imposing fines on those who use solar panels and generators in the state.

    It noted that while the government has the responsibility to ensure the environmental safety of citizens, it has never contemplated sanctioning anyone for using either solar panels or generators.

    The state commissioner for information, public orientation and strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba deplored the unprofessional manner the authors of the fake story set out to tarnish the image of the Imo state government for not just cause.

    He noted that the story which had been trending on social media “lumped Imo State with another state which categorically instituted that policy.”

    “Of course, the publishers of the mischievous story could not attribute it to any official of the Imo state government because we don’t have such a policy in place,” he explained.

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    According to him, “The story merely mentioned an imposition of two million Naira fine on one Nneoma bakery for various environmental infractions accumulated over the past three years without being specific.”

    Emelumba described the publication as the figment of the imagination of the authors to attract attention to themselves” and in the process,” devaluing the practice of journalism.”

    The Commissioner disclosed that the state government has even gone beyond who uses any alternative source of energy as it is on the verge of providing an uninterrupted power supply to the people of the state.

    He said: “We have gone far in our bid to provide power supply 24/7 across the state for us to bother with who uses solar panels or generators.”

    He therefore urged the public to disregard the misleading story as the government at no point in time imposed any levy on those using alternative energy sources.