These days, solar as alternative source of energy don dey rise for Nigeria. As e be so, e no hard to hear people dey talk say “I get solar now”, “Just install solar to get peace of mind”. Solar don help plenty of us escape madness of unstable power. E don bring comfort, quiet, and some level of control over our lives, but there be something we no dey talk about enough.
For trying to fix one problem, we fit unknowingly dey create another one wey we no realize, because if we look close to wetin dey install for many homes, especially those wey more affordable, the story start to change. Most people no dey use expensive lithium batteries wey dem see for premium installations. Wetin plenty homes get na tubular batteries, wey more affordable and na lead-acid batteries. Lead get high toxicity and fit cause serious health issues when no properly manage.
As dem dey charge and discharge, depending on solar panel condition, especially when dem dey old, overcharge, or poorly install, dem fit dey very harmful. The terrifying part be say these batteries dey store inside rooms, under staircases, for kitchens, for balconies with little or no ventilation, sometimes even inside bedrooms. With this, e dey feel like major problem don solve, but something dey quietly build for that same space.
You dey inhale toxic elements wey dey affect nearly every system for body. The most dangerous part be say the impact dey gradual: constant headaches, unusual tiredness, feeling wey something dey off but you no fit explain am. E rarely cross your mind say the battery wey dey sit quietly for one corner fit be part of the problem. Over time, exposure to these toxic fumes fit affect brain, memory, breathing, kidney, energy levels, and for children, their growth and development.
Unfortunately, we dey celebrate solutions without thinking about the long-term consequences. For country with little or no regulation, a system where government no dey prioritize health and safety of citizens, an environment where waste disposal dey poorly handle so that batteries dey dump and electronic waste dey scatter carelessly, wetin we dey see now na more lead for our living spaces without adequate knowledge and proper safeguards.
Years from now, we fit start to see effects, not for way wey easy to trace but for patterns of health issues wey people no fit fully explain, and by that time, e fit already be too late for many. Solar no be the problem, but the way dem dey adopt am, because the same thing wey supposed to improve our living conditions no should be wetin dey quietly put our health for risk.
Anyone wey dey use tubular batteries suppose review the setup again. Consider the location for installation and level of ventilation around am. Also, think about the installer and whether safety precautions dem take. If change no fit happen immediately, at least adjustments fit make with improved ventilation. Planning towards safer options like lithium, even if e take time, na the key because the goal no be just to get alternative source of power but to well enough to enjoy benefits.
Facility managers fit play role for creating awareness by doing more research and providing relevant information to clients. On the other hand, people suppose ask questions and make changes if necessary. Finally, e important to state say the solar industry dey transition to safer, higher performing alternatives.
