A Nigerian solar engineer has gone viral after sharing a video explaining why he installed a customer's solar panels on a wall rather than the roof, a decision driven by property-specific constraints.
Installation Factors: Erosion, Shade, and Landlord Rules
The engineer, identified on TikTok as @tiresimy, detailed that mounting the panels side by side on the roof was not feasible because the panels were taller than the property's fence. He also noted that one side of the building bordered a drainage channel, where rainwater and erosion would flow. Placing the panels lower on that side could expose them to erosion, reducing sunlight absorption and power output.
Additionally, the engineer ruled out another section of the property because nearby structures cast shade that would compromise the system's efficiency.
Budget and Landlord Restrictions Cited
The engineer explained that the customer could not afford to build a garage for panel mounting, and the property owner did not permit roof installation. These constraints led the team to explore alternatives, ultimately choosing vertical wall mounting as the most practical solution.
He also showcased other components, including the inverter, protective devices, a 4-kilowatt lithium battery, and connections to the distribution board. Although installation was incomplete, the inverter was already supplying electricity to the building.
Public Reactions: Criticism and Debate
The video sparked mixed reactions from TikTok users. @nextgensolar commented, "This solution is absolutely a waste; you will hardly see 15% of the required energy to be generated." @Pius/peace of mind said, "The most useless installation ever; it will not work well because it's not facing up to get direct sunlight." @Tbamz added, "Is it even necessary to post this kind? This is an eyesore, not a good idea."
@ELONEX argued, "Two panels well positioned on a carport will do better than the four panels on the wall. These panels on the wall cannot generate up to 40 percent of their total capacity. Why not sell two panels and use the money to build a carport since the client has no money for one?"
@Kingsley Ugwu355 suggested, "The truth is getting a carport on that compound is not expensive compared to the resources wasted. Trust me, the cost of two panels will get you a carport while using the fence as back support." @Abdul Rasheed Yusuff added, "You've wasted the client's money; the solar panels will not generate good amounts of power. The best angle for panels above ground should not exceed 45 degrees, but with what you did, the panels will generate less."
Previous Solar Engineer Experience
In a related report by Legit.ng, a different solar engineer shared an experience where a client requested adjustments after six units were installed. The engineer had to accommodate the unexpected request.
