By Blessing Bello, Reporting
FOR many Nigerians, solar power has become the ultimate status symbol—a quiet declaration of independence from a national grid that has long ceased to be reliable. “I have solar now,” they boast. “Just installed solar.”
It is easy to understand why. Solar has delivered millions of households from the tyranny of erratic power supply, offering comfort, quiet, and a welcome sense of control over daily life.
But amid the celebrations, a pressing question is emerging: in solving one crisis, have we unwittingly invited another into our homes—one that could prove far more insidious, even deadly?
A growing body of concern among industry experts and health-conscious observers suggests that the way many Nigerians are adopting solar power, particularly the more affordable setups that dominate the market, may be exposing families to serious health risks without their knowledge.
At the heart of the issue lies the battery. While premium installations rely on costly lithium batteries, the vast majority of Nigerian households opt for tubular batteries—a type of lead-acid battery that is more affordable and offers higher storage capacity.
What is less discussed, however, is what these batteries contain: lead.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that poses significant health risks when inhaled or ingested. It does not simply sit inertly in the corner. As lead-acid batteries charge and discharge, they release gases, including hydrogen, and in certain conditions, such as ageing, overcharging, or poor installation, they can emit harmful fumes containing traces of lead and sulphuric acid.
In a viral WhatsApp post obtained by Stonix News, tech clarity coach, Iniobong Udoh II, raised the alarm over what he described as a quiet but growing danger.
“Solar has helped a lot of us escape the madness of unstable power. It has brought comfort, quiet, and some level of control over our lives,” he wrote. “But there is something we are not talking about enough. What if, in trying to fix one problem, we have quietly brought danger closer to ourselves than we realise, even death?”
Mr Udoh pointed to a troubling pattern he had observed across the country: batteries installed inside bedrooms, under staircases, in kitchens, and on poorly ventilated balconies.
“We install it, take pictures, feel like we have solved a major problem, and move on. Meanwhile, something is quietly building in that same space,” he warned. “You are inhaling what you should not be inhaling.”
The danger, experts say, is not immediate. It does not announce itself with noise or smoke. Instead, it builds gradually, making it easy to dismiss or overlook.
Symptoms may begin as persistent headaches, unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or respiratory irritation. Over time, prolonged exposure to lead can affect the brain, memory, kidney function, and energy levels. For children, who are particularly vulnerable, the consequences can be even more severe, potentially impacting growth and cognitive development.
“It rarely crosses your mind that the battery sitting quietly in one corner could be part of the problem,” Mr Udoh noted.
His concerns have been echoed by professionals within the solar installation industry.
Chukwu Nweokwu, a solar installer who designs and installs solar solutions, told Stonix News that the distinction between battery types was critical—and often overlooked by consumers focused solely on cost.
“I perfectly understand the message being passed,” Mr Nweokwu said. “There are lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries. Among the lead-acid batteries, there is the tubular and the sealed lead-acid (SLA). The lithium batteries are the costliest, followed by the SLA.
“The tubular are the cheapest and on average they provide for higher storage capacity than the SLA. Most people go for it due to its lower cost and higher capacity.”
However, he said he rarely recommended tubular batteries to clients unless they specifically insisted.
“I usually advise my clients on the SLA or Li. Incidentally, the cost difference is not really so much. One can actually pay that additional amount and install a lithium battery and enjoy more peace and safety,” he explained.
Mr Nweokwu further highlighted another layer of concern: the prevalence of substandard tubular batteries in the Nigerian market. These poorly manufactured units, he said, tend to emit higher levels of fumes than is normal, compounding the health risks.
“Apart from poor ventilation and poor installation, there are also many tubular batteries in the market that are substandard. They emit a higher level of fumes than is normal. Such causes serious health hazards,” he stated.
He was also critical of the lack of regulatory oversight, noting that the government had done little to ensure the safety of such products or to educate the public on proper usage.
“Unfortunately, we have a government that does not care about the health of its citizens and as such does not regulate such products,” Mr Nweokwu lamented.
For those who already have solar installations, the message is not one of panic but of vigilance. Simple adjustments can significantly reduce risk.
Mr Udoh urged households to take a closer look at their setups. “If you are using tubular batteries, pause and look at your setup again. Think about where it is placed. Think about the air around it. Think about who installed it and whether safety was even part of the conversation,” he advised.
He recommended improving ventilation, moving batteries away from living spaces, and being intentional about installation quality. Where possible, he suggested planning toward safer alternatives such as sealed lead-acid or lithium batteries, even if that required saving up over time.
“If you cannot change everything immediately, at least start making adjustments. Improve ventilation. Move it away from spaces where you spend long hours. Be intentional about how it is handled,” he said.
Mr Nweokwu offered a clear, practical summary: “People should avoid unsealed lead-acid batteries, and if they must be installed, it should be in locations with adequate ventilation.”
Both experts agreed on a broader point: the goal of solar adoption should not merely be to have light, but to stay alive and well enough to enjoy it.
“Stop seeing this as a competition,” Mr Udoh urged. “This is not about ‘I better pass my neighbour.’ Because the goal is not just to have light. The goal is to stay alive and well enough to enjoy that light.”
As Nigeria’s solar revolution continues to gather pace, it seems the time has come to ask not just how many homes have gone solar, but how safely they have done so.
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