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Why Some Installers Refuse to Educate Clients — And It’s Hurting the Solar Industry

ByGLOBALNET ICT

Solar energy is booming, but the Nigerian market—and similar developing markets—faces a subtle problem: many installers avoid educating their clients. This lack of knowledge transfer may seem harmless, but it is a major factor behind system failures, underperformance, and client dissatisfaction.

In this post, we explore why some installers avoid client education and why it is hurting the solar industry as a whole.

1. The Profit-Over-Knowledge Approach

Some installers prioritize selling quickly over client understanding. Teaching clients about system loads, battery care, or inverter limits takes time—time that cuts into their daily profit or the number of installations they can do in a day.

The result:

  • clients misuse systems
  • unnecessary service calls occur
  • reputation damage occurs for both client and installer

2. Fear of Losing Control or Upselling Opportunities

Some installers intentionally withhold information to maintain control or force future sales:

  • Clients may rely on the installer for maintenance or troubleshooting
  • Selling unnecessary upgrades (e.g., more batteries, larger inverters) becomes easier
  • Repeat business is “guaranteed” through client dependency

This practice creates distrust and harms the reputation of legitimate installers.

3. Lack of Confidence or Knowledge

Some installers themselves do not fully understand:

  • Proper battery management for lithium or lead-acid systems
  • Solar load calculation and balancing
  • Seasonal variations in solar output

Rather than admitting gaps in knowledge, they avoid educating the client, leaving them at risk of misuse and system failure.

4. Consequences for Clients

When clients are left in the dark:

  • Batteries are overcharged or deeply discharged
  • Inverters are overloaded
  • Load is applied incorrectly during peak sun or dry seasons
  • Heat, dust, and environmental factors reduce performance

Most failures blamed on components are actually caused by mismanagement from lack of guidance.

5. Impact on the Industry

The ripple effect of non-education is significant:

  • High system failure rates: Makes solar seem unreliable to new buyers
  • Eroded trust: Clients generalize the blame to all installers
  • Slower adoption: Skeptical clients delay solar purchases
  • Profit loss for honest installers: They inherit repair work from poor installations

In short, withholding knowledge hurts everyone—clients, honest installers, and the industry.

6. How Installers Should Educate Clients

Good installers follow these practices:

  • Explain daily load management and how to avoid overload
  • Show clients how to check battery levels and inverter alerts
  • Teach proper panel cleaning, maintenance, and heat precautions
  • Provide a clear guide for seasonal adjustments

Education empowers clients to use systems efficiently, prevent damage, and increase lifespan.

7. How Clients Can Protect Themselves

Clients should insist on:

  • A walkthrough of the entire system after installation
  • Written instructions for battery care, inverter operation, and load management
  • Verification that the installer sells verified panels, inverters, and batteries
  • Asking questions about expansion options and seasonal variations

A knowledgeable client is less likely to misuse their system and more likely to trust their installer.

8. Final Thoughts

Refusing to educate clients might save time or increase short-term profits for some installers—but it hurts long-term industry growth.

The solution is simple: transparency, proper guidance, and client empowerment. A well-informed client is a satisfied client, a longer-lasting solar system, and a healthier market.

Education isn’t optional—it’s essential for the sustainability of solar energy adoption.

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