Tosin Olugbenga, a Nigerian software engineer based in the United Kingdom, has revealed that he has nine solar panels installed on his roof despite having a round-the-clock electricity supply. His explanation reframed the conversation around solar energy, highlighting that even where electricity is constant, it carries a significant cost.
Why Olugbenga Installed Solar Panels on His Roof
In response to a question from another user, Nnamdi (@_Nsznn), who asked: "I have a question... UK always have 24/7 light, so what is the solar panel for??" Olugbenga explained: "I have 9 solar panels on my roof. It charges my car during the day and powers the house. Cutting my electricity bill by half during the summer. The 24/7 light is not free."
His post, shared on 9 July 2026, garnered 2,200 likes, 198 retweets, and over 149,000 views on X, sparking widespread attention.
Nigerians React to Solar Energy Comparison
The post drew a wave of responses, with many finding the contrast between solar energy motivations in Nigeria and the UK both striking and amusing. @lumiere451 said: "I got a quote of 10k for solar panels.. I just disembark immediately." @vimval_ asked: "Is it that the solar panels and batteries are so cheap in the UK that it’s usage are actually cheaper and able to compensate for the excesses of charges from the 24/7 electricity?" @iamSwaga22 commented: "See them comparing need for solar in Nigeria to Uk????"
Broader Context of Solar Energy in the UK
For many Nigerians, solar panels are a survival tool in a country where grid power is unreliable. But Olugbenga's explanation highlighted a different reality: even where electricity is constant, it carries a significant cost, and solar energy offers a practical way to reduce those bills while also powering an electric vehicle.
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a man living in the UK shared his shock after discovering his Nigerian mother's electricity bill was higher than his. Additionally, a solar installer expressed awe after seeing the roof of a house he was hired to work on, noting the severe incline of the roofing structure.
