Indigenous solar energy company, LPV Technologies, has called for a radical shift in government policy, urging a zero-import approach to solar panels.
The company argues that local manufacturing is the key to securing Nigeria’s renewable energy future.
Speaking at the unveiling of its state-of-the-art facility in Lagos, Executive Director Yinka Adelodun outlined a comprehensive vision for the future of solar power in Nigeria. This vision is built on three pillars: local production, stringent quality assurance, and supportive government policies.
“We have always believed that seeing is believing,” Adelodun told journalists and guests at the event.
“It’s one thing to claim you have a facility like this; it’s another to actually see it and confirm its existence. This facility, which we started building almost two years ago, is designed to deploy solar infrastructure at scale. While many are installing solar panels on their roofs as a temporary fix, the real solution lies in harnessing solar and gas to power our economy sustainably.”
Addressing industry challenges
Adelodun highlighted the significant challenges faced by the industry, such as delays in shipments due to customs and storage issues. “Developers often order panels months in advance, only to face delays. With our facility, you can call us and say, ‘I want five megawatts of solar panels,’ and we will produce it on demand,” he said.
He emphasized that by controlling the supply chain, LPV Technologies ensures that every panel meets rigorous quality standards. “Our collaboration with a European OEM ensures our panels meet grid A European standards. We have six different quality assurance gates before the final product is completed. This level of assurance is often missing in imported panels, with 20-25% of them failing to meet the mark,” Adelodun added.
Adelodun stressed the importance of government action in creating a favorable environment for local manufacturers. He called on policymakers to remove 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,” he asserted.
Quality and durability
During a tour of the facility, Emmanuel Agboola, Head of Operations, highlighted the exceptional durability of the solar panels.
“Our panels are engineered to last for more than 25 years,” Agboola noted. He explained that the company’s heavy investment in advanced technology and automation ensures a level of quality that can rival—and even exceed—that of imported products.
Juwon Solarin, Head of Business Development and Marketing, shared insights into the company’s distribution strategy.
“We already have multiple sales outlets in place, and our plans include significantly expanding our distribution network. 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,” Solarin said.
The new facility, entirely operated by Nigerian experts, underscores the potential of homegrown talent in the renewable energy sector. Adelodun proudly noted that every person on the production line is an engineer, demonstrating a commitment to manufacturing excellence, 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 production line is designed with flexibility in mind. Currently using PERC technology, the facility can produce panels ranging from 550-watt to 720-watt configurations and is already configured to adopt emerging technologies like TopCon.
“In a rapidly evolving industry, being flexible and ready to incorporate new technologies is key to staying ahead,” Adelodun remarked.
Meeting Nigeria’s Energy Needs
Adelodun pointed out that 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 also addressed the challenges of sourcing raw materials. While cells must currently be imported, all other components—glass, aluminum frames, and junction boxes—are either already sourced locally or can be manufactured domestically. “We are working with local companies, like the aluminum facility in Abuja, to meet our needs. The more we localize production, the more we can alleviate forex issues and reduce production costs,” he explained.
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