A renewable energy firm and strategic collaborator of LONGi, WERAN Solar Co., Ltd based in Shanghai, has joined forces with Nigerian solar installation companies and is advocating for sustained investment and cost-effective solutions for homes and businesses facing electricity shortages.
Recently, at a training and partnership forum for installers in Lagos, Mr. Pepper Guo, the Deputy Managing Director of WERAN Africa, stated that the company sees Nigeria as a crucial center for its activities across the continent.
Guo stated, “We didn’t come to Nigeria for a temporary market. We are here because we recognize the potential of this country and aim for long-term growth here,” Guo said. “Our objective is to establish collaborations, jointly shape the future, and offer reliable solar solutions for Nigerians.”
The gathering united solar installers from throughout the nation to inform them about the most recent photovoltaic advancements and tackle issues related to distinguishing authentic solar products from counterfeit or low-quality ones saturating the market.
Marketing Manager Ngoziukwu Livingstone, speaking for the company, stated, “Numerous installers struggle to tell the difference between premium and inferior solar panels. This is why we are hosting this event, aimed at educating them on recognizing genuine products, understanding performance benchmarks, and connecting with us to raise their queries.”
A key feature of the training was WERAN’s verification system, enabling installers to scan a code located on the rear of each solar panel to verify its authenticity.
Nigeria has faced ongoing electricity shortages for many years, forcing millions of homes to rely on costly generators or unstable options. Although interest in renewable energy has increased, poverty and high expenses continue to hinder access for numerous people in the country.
Expressing worries over increasing inverter and panel costs, WERAN’s Sales Director, Quasim Lawal, refuted the idea that prices have significantly gone up.
Despite common perception, solar costs have not risen considerably. Following President Bola Tinubu’s government eliminating specific import taxes on solar components, an increasing number of businesses are joining the market. Nevertheless, the variation comes from high-end products, which inherently are pricier than mainstream options.
He advocated for more robust government policies to oversee the industry, comparing the necessity of a solar regulatory authority to NAFDAC’s function in the pharmaceutical field.
“There is no proper oversight for solar products in Nigeria. A lot of counterfeit and substandard items find their way into the market due to the lack of stringent quality checks. This creates challenges for genuine companies like ours in competing,” he stated.
In response to affordability issues, he stated that although it functions under a business-to-business framework, Nigerian banks including Sterling, Wema, and Fidelity have introduced renewable energy financial schemes, allowing families to obtain loans for solar system installations through installment payments.
Lawal stated, “WERAN premium 610W HPVC panels, developed in partnership with LONGi, are being offered at a reduced price of N120,000 per panel, significantly less than the global market rate of N150,000.”
We have also collaborated with international inverter and battery producers, such as Deye and Lithium Valley, to guarantee longevity and enhance the quality of its panels.
Since it was founded in 2015, WERAN has grown quickly throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Its Nigerian branch, established in 2024 through a collaboration with Rayonannce Energy FZE, operates a storage facility within the Lekki Free Trade Zone to support the West African region.
As the Federal Government aims to supply millions of homes with renewable energy by 2030, experts think that collaborations between international firms such as WERAN and local installers will be essential in closing Nigeria’s energy deficit.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
