The NBTE has warned that rooftop solar installations in Nigeria are unsafe and often violate engineering standards, posing fire risks and energy inefficiency.
The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, has warned that rooftop solar panel installations in Nigeria are often unsafe and pose serious fire risks.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Bugaje said many installations are “very unprofessional” and disregard basic engineering safety standards.
“During the peak of solar radiation, the current flowing in the wires is maximum… If the current is too high, the wires will become heated… they will heat up to the extent that some of them can even melt. If the two spark, it can ignite fire. Many fires have happened because of that,” he said.
He also criticised the steep rooftop mounting practices, noting that panels should ideally be installed at 10 degrees facing south for optimal energy generation.
Bugaje said NBTE is addressing the skills gap through new diploma programmes and certifications. He urged state governments to utilise their new power to generate and distribute electricity to tap into Nigeria’s vast solar potential.