Frequently Asked Questions

No! Naijolt is completely free and requires no registration. Just visit the calculator, enter your appliances and preferences, and get your results instantly. Your calculation data is stored locally in your browser.

Our calculations use industry-standard formulas based on your location's peak sun hours, appliance wattages, and backup preferences. While accurate for planning purposes, actual system performance varies based on installation quality, panel orientation, shading, and weather. Always consult a licensed installer for final specifications.

Absolutely! Naijolt supports all 36 Nigerian states with location-specific solar irradiance data. Whether you're in Sokoto, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or any other state, we calculate your system size based on your area's average peak sun hours.

Your calculation is automatically saved in your browser's sessionStorage while you browse. You can also export your results via WhatsApp (share with vendors) or download as a PDF for offline reference.

Yes! Naijolt is designed mobile-first for Nigerian users on 3G connections. Over 70% of our users access the calculator from mobile devices, and we optimize for fast loading and easy input on small screens.

Lithium batteries (LiFePO4) are more expensive upfront but last longer (8-10 years vs 3-5 years), have deeper discharge capacity (80% vs 50%), and require less maintenance. Tubular batteries are cheaper initially but need regular topping with distilled water and have shorter lifespan. Lithium is better long-term value; tubular is better for tight budgets.

Peak sun hours measure the equivalent hours per day when sunlight intensity is at 1000W/m² (optimal for solar panels). For example, Lagos has about 4.5 peak sun hours, meaning panels receive the equivalent of 4.5 hours of full-strength sunlight per day. Sokoto (6 hours) gets more sun than Lagos, affecting system sizing.

Daily load = sum of (Appliance Watts × Hours Used Per Day × Quantity) for all appliances. Example: 2 standing fans (75W each) running 8 hours = 2 × 75 × 8 = 1,200Wh = 1.2kWh. Naijolt does this calculation automatically when you select appliances.

Inverter size (in kVA) is based on your peak load—the maximum wattage you'll use at once. Add up all appliances you might run simultaneously, multiply by 1.25 (safety factor), and divide by 0.8 (power factor). Naijolt rounds up to standard sizes: 1kVA, 2kVA, 3.5kVA, 5kVA, 7.5kVA, or 10kVA.

Panel count = (Daily Load × 1.25) ÷ (Peak Sun Hours × Panel Wattage). The 1.25 factor accounts for system losses (dirt, wiring, inverter efficiency). Naijolt assumes 300W panels and your location's peak sun hours to calculate panel requirements.

Price ranges are based on monthly market research from Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt vendors. They're indicative estimates—NOT binding quotes. Actual prices vary by vendor, location, installation complexity, brand preferences, and current naira exchange rates. Always get 3+ vendor quotes before purchasing.

Vendors may quote higher/lower based on: (1) Brand quality (Chinese vs European equipment), (2) Installation complexity (roof access, wiring runs), (3) Profit margins, (4) Add-ons (monitoring, maintenance contracts), (5) Bulk discounts. Use Naijolt's range as a baseline to verify vendor quotes are reasonable.

No. We're 100% neutral. We don't sell equipment, take vendor commissions, or favor specific installers. Naijolt is purely a free calculator to help you size your system independently before vendor conversations.

Not always. Cheapest may mean low-quality components, poor installation, or hidden costs. Compare: (1) Equipment brands/warranties, (2) Installer credentials/reviews, (3) Workmanship guarantees, (4) After-sales support. A ₦1.2M system with 5-year warranty beats a ₦900K system that fails in 2 years.

We include 20+ common Nigerian appliances: inverter ACs, standing fans, fridges (Hisense, LG, Samsung), TVs, decoders, laptops, phone chargers, pressing irons, water pumps, microwaves, and more. You can also add custom appliances with manual wattage input.

Our peak sun hours data is averaged over the year, accounting for seasonal variation. However, we recommend oversizing panels by 25% (already built into calculations) to handle less sunny periods. Battery backup hours setting also helps bridge cloudy days.

Not yet. MVP focuses on off-grid (standalone) systems, which are most common in Nigeria due to unreliable grid power. Hybrid system support (automatic grid switching) is planned for Phase 2.