A Nigerian solar user has developed a clever solution to monitor how long his solar inverter will last after charging. Fidelis Ozuawala built a small application that provides real-time information on inverter runtime and helps his household identify which devices are in use.
How the App Works
Fidelis shared details about the app on Facebook, explaining that users must input the current load and remaining battery percentage. The app then calculates how many hours the solar system will run before reaching 10% capacity. His 30kWh battery is hardcoded into the app's codebase.
The app is available for download on iPhone and Android home screens. Fidelis noted that it helps his wife and family know which appliances are being used and how long they will last, especially at night. He stated, "It also helps my wife and household just know what is being used and how long it will last. Especially at night so we know if we should charge it with Nepa light a bit so it doesn’t turn off at night."
Public Reactions
The post garnered comments from Facebook users. Omo Cana asked, "How do you get time to do all these works boss?" Kelechi Nelson said, "You surprise me always." Atanda Gideon remarked, "Not developers right now hitting ctrl-shift-I." Chibuzo Anyarah commented, "That's mind [expletive] congratulations; that's what the country needs. Innovative ideas."
Related Solar Insights
In a related story, a solar company founder listed five important things to check before installing solar panels. Additionally, a solar expert shared six appliances that drain inverter lithium batteries quickly. Nigeria's solar market is growing rapidly due to grid outages and rising fuel costs. According to Solar Financed Africa, Nigeria's total installed solar energy capacity is estimated at around 385.7 MWp as of 2024.
In a TikTok post, @globevisions highlighted appliances that drain inverter lithium batteries, noting that air conditioners consume 700 to 2500 watts depending on horsepower.
