PAYG solar lets you get a solar home system with little or no upfront cost, paying small daily or weekly amounts until you own it. Here's everything you need to know.
Explore all solar options →Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar is a financing model where a company installs a solar home system at your property for little or no upfront payment. You then pay for the system in small increments — daily, weekly, or monthly — usually via mobile money (USSD, bank transfer, or platforms like OPay). The system comes with a built-in GSM lock: if you miss payments, the system can be remotely disabled until you're back on track.
Once you've completed all payments — typically over 18–48 months — the system is fully yours. Until then, it's technically owned by the provider.
| Provider | System sizes | Monthly cost (approx) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumos Nigeria | 80W – 200W home systems | ₦8,000 – ₦20,000/mo | Nationwide (focus: North) |
| d.light | Pico to 200W systems | ₦5,000 – ₦18,000/mo | North & South-West |
| PEG Africa | 50W – 200W | ₦6,000 – ₦16,000/mo | Selected states |
| Greenlight Planet | Pico systems (Sun King) | ₦3,000 – ₦12,000/mo | Rural nationwide |
| ZOLA Electric | 200W – 1kW home systems | ₦15,000 – ₦45,000/mo | Urban centres |
PAYG provider coverage in Nigeria is expanding but still uneven. Urban areas and Northern states tend to have the most options. Always verify a provider is active in your specific area before committing.
| Factor | PAYG | Outright purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | ₦0 – small deposit | Full system cost (₦2.5M+) |
| Monthly cost | ₦5,000 – ₦45,000 | ₦0 after purchase |
| System size | Small (50W–1kW) | Any size |
| Total cost paid | Higher (financing premium) | Lower (no premium) |
| Ownership | After completing payments | Immediate |
| Suitable for AC | No | Yes (right-sized system) |
| Best for | Low income, rural, no credit | Most urban households |
Rural and peri-urban households without access to formal bank credit, who currently spend on kerosene, candles, or small generator fuel for basic lighting and phone charging.
Low-income urban households who spend ₦5,000–₦15,000/month on fuel but can't access a lump sum for a full solar system and don't qualify for bank loans.
Households needing basic power only — lights, fans, phone and small TV — rather than a system capable of running refrigerators, ACs, or pumps.
If you need a system larger than 1 kVA, you're better served by an installer payment plan or bank solar loan — PAYG systems are too small for most middle-class Nigerian households' power needs. See our full financing guide for alternatives.
PAYG systems use GSM-enabled controllers that allow providers to remotely disable the system if payments lapse. Most providers give a grace period of 3–7 days before disabling. Once you make the payment, the system is re-enabled — usually within minutes. Providers don't typically remove the physical system for a single missed payment, but persistent non-payment can result in repossession.
Most PAYG providers allow early payoff — you pay the outstanding balance and receive immediate full ownership. Some providers offer a discount for early lump-sum settlement. Check your specific agreement for early settlement terms and whether any penalty applies.
Yes — rural coverage is actually where PAYG solar is strongest in Nigeria. Providers like Lumos, d.light, and Greenlight Planet specifically target rural communities that lack grid access. Payment via USSD codes means no smartphone or data connection is required to pay.
Our calculator works out the best approach for your home, income, and power needs — and connects you with the right providers.