Assuming sunlight could pay our bills, Nigerians would be billionaires, at least during the dry season.
In this country, we are bathed in 2,555 kWh/m² per year of solar radiation, but still bargain over fuelwood in 2025. The paradox of power supply is so absurd.
As of 2023, Nigeria’s solar energy capacity finally crept to 112 megawatts, a 2,700% growth from 2014. A giant one for renewables? Perhaps. But with 39% of Nigerians still without access to electricity, and 67.8% still burning wood to cook dinner, it feels more like a brisk shuffle forward.
Recently, the government announced a ₦10 billion solar budget for Aso Rock alone, the reason being that the annual electricity bill for the presidential villa has reached ₦47 billion, which officials say is unsustainable, bringing forth the need to diversify energy sources, cut governance costs, and reduce reliance on the national grid.
At least some people will have light to admire their own progress, but the rest of us must lean heavily on private sector innovation.
So, let’s help ourselves, individuals, SMEs and corporate companies. Let’s talk about two solar energy companies operating in Nigeria, comparing Lumos and Daystar Power.
Different philosophies, different strategies, but one mission, to drag Nigeria, kicking and screaming, into the age of clean, reliable energy.
Background of the Brands
Lumos
Lumos entered the Nigerian market with a simple pitch: affordable, pay-as-you-go solar systems, targeted mainly at households and micro-businesses.
The company formed a partnership with MTN, leveraging mobile payments to deploy this solar system model. Its signature product? A “yellow box” solar kit — simple, affordable, and effective.
Daystar Power
On the other hand, Daystar took one look at the retail market and politely passed. Instead, it targeted the corporate sector, including banks, telecom towers and manufacturing plants.
Its solutions, usually a combination of solar and hybrid energy systems, are designed for heavy lifting, backed by long-term contracts and serious engineering muscle. Shell Investments and other backers recognised Daystar’s potential early, pumping millions into its expansion.
Business Model Comparison
Lumos is the street hustler of solar. The company’s model is pay-as-you-go, highly consumer-friendly, and deeply integrated with mobile money. The focus is to scale fast and keep it simple.
Daystar, meanwhile, plays the long game. It operates a business-to-business (B2B) model, offering energy-as-a-service. Clients don’t buy solar panels; they sign up for long-term savings and reliable electricity without the headache of ownership.
Product/Service Offering
Lumos offers solar home systems designed to power small electronics like TVs, laptops, fans, lights, even clippers. Think of it as solar energy with training wheels. Lumos’ user experience is seamless. Sign up, pay a token via your phone, and bask in light.
Daystar provides industrial-scale solutions such as massive solar plants, hybrid systems combining solar, diesel, and battery storage. Remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimised energy management are standard. While Lumos gives you a torch, Daystar is building the entire lighthouse.
Target Audience
Lumos focuses on low to middle-income households, small businesses, and rural communities usually abandoned by Nigeria’s national grid.
Daystar courts the big fish—banks, telecom operators, agricultural firms, and manufacturing plants—organisations where a power outage can cost millions.
Pricing and Affordability
Lumos is like a friendly loan shark — small initial payments, spread out through affordable mobile instalments. It’s electricity on a budget.
Daystar is a capital commitment. Upfront investments can be steep, but businesses are rewarded with energy savings over time. If Lumos is a sprint, Daystar is a marathon.
Market Presence and Reach
Lumos, powered by its MTN partnership, has spread across several Nigerian states, mostly focusing on areas with poor electricity access. Expansion beyond Nigeria remains tentative.
Daystar, on the other hand, has expanded across West Africa, with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, among others. With backing from Shell and other investors, its goals are decidedly continental.
Performance and Reliability
Lumos customers praise the ease of use and reliability, though many note that the systems struggle with heavy appliances. The company’s customer service and multi-year warranties are strong selling points.
Daystar boasts of uptime guarantees north of 99%, great engineering credentials, and a corporate client list that speaks for itself. It’s the solar solution you buy when failure isn’t an option.
Both brands have received industry recognition, but Daystar’s accolades usually include global awards for innovation and sustainability.
Challenges
Lumos faces a natural ceiling: its systems simply can’t power larger household devices like fridges or air conditioners without upgrades.
Daystar struggles with the high entry cost. Many SMEs would love a Daystar system but can’t afford the upfront costs or complex contracts.
Impact on Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Drive
Lumos has calmly led a grassroots solar uprising. In making solar accessible to rural homes and small shops, it has introduced millions to renewable energy.
Daystar is killing diesel—slowly but surely. Every bank branch or telecom mast that switches to Daystar shaves a little off Nigeria’s diesel dependency and reduces emissions.
In 2023 alone, Nigeria generated 50 gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar, maintaining growth. Renewables now contribute 20.5% of total power generation, thanks, in no small part, to companies like Lumos and Daystar.
In Nigeria’s solar sector, Lumos and Daystar are not competitors, they are allies on different fronts.
- Lumos is the democrat, bringing power to the people.
- Daystar is the strategist, rewiring industry from the ground up.
- For families and small shops in dusty towns, Lumos is the light at the end of the tunnel.
- For banks, factories, and corporate giants, Daystar is the trusted path out of darkness.
Simple Comparison Table:
| Feature | Lumos | Daystar Power |
| Target Market | Households, SMEs, Off-grid communities | Businesses, Industries, Corporates |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go, Mobile payments | Long-term contracts, Energy-as-a-Service |
| Technology | Home solar kits | Solar + Hybrid systems |
| Market Reach | Nigeria (selected states) | Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire |
| Affordability | Very high | High initial cost, lower long-term |
| Innovation Highlight | Mobile-based monitoring | Remote predictive maintenance |
