Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of NBTE, raises concerns over unsafe rooftop solar panel installations across Nigeria, highlighting the fire risks posed by unprofessional setups and improper panel positioning.
Prof. Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), has raised alarm over unsafe rooftop solar panel installations in Nigeria. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, he described current installations as unprofessional and fire hazards due to excessive heat generated when high current flows through resistive wires.
“The installations that are going on across the country on rooftops are very unprofessional and they are risks to fire,” Bugaje said. He explained that solar panels mounted at steep roof angles, typically 60 to 70 degrees, reduce energy efficiency and increase risks.
For optimal energy capture, panels should be mounted at about 10 degrees facing south. Bugaje emphasized Nigeria’s urgent need to improve energy availability, noting, “Nigeria cannot industrialise with this low energy availability.”
The NBTE is responding by updating diploma programs and offering certifications to equip installers with professional expertise, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency in renewable energy adoption.