The demand for solar cold rooms in Nigeria has rapidly expanded in recent years, due to the increasing need to reduce post-harvest losses and a continuingly high price of diesel. There is now increased adoption of solar-powered cold storage by several farmers, food traders, fisheries, and clinics due to the fact that it guarantees reliable cooling despite the status of the grid electricity. Container-based solar cold rooms have become quite popular because they are easy to transport, install, and scale.
This guide explains the current price of solar cold rooms in Nigeria, how to choose the right size and solar capacity, and what features to look for before making a purchase.
Prices of Solar Cold Rooms in Nigeria (20ft & 40ft Containers)
Below is an updated price range that is commonly seen in the Nigerian market:
| Container Size | Solar Capacity (kW) | Battery Capacity (kWh) | Estimated Price (USD) | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft | 5 – 6 kW | 10 – 15 kWh | $9,000 – $12,000 | Small farms, shops, clinics |
| 20ft | 8 – 10 kW | 20 – 30 kWh | $12,000 – $15,000 | Produce traders, fish retailers |
| 40ft | 10 – 12 kW | 20 – 30 kWh | $20,000 – $25,000 | Agro hubs, cooperatives |
| 40ft | 12 – 15 kW | 40 – 60 kWh | $25,000 – $30,000 | Cold chain centers, commercial users |
These figures reflect typical market prices for container-based solar cold rooms in Nigeria and other nearby West African markets. Complete 20ft and 40ft mobile systems are also offered by international suppliers, including LZY Energy, such as the LZY-MSC4 Mobile Solar Powered Refrigerated Container, which integrates solar panels, battery storage, and refrigeration into one movable unit.
How to Choose the Right Size and Solar Power System
In selecting a solar cold room, the main considerations would be storage needs, operating hours, and sunlight available.
A. Choosing between 20ft and 40ft
Choose a 20ft unit if:
- You store 200–500 kg/day
- You run a small to medium farm
- You require a compact, inexpensive solution.
- You have limited installation space.
Choose a 40ft unit if:
- You store 500–1,500 kg/day or more
- You operate a cooperative, seafood operation, or distribution center
- You need full-day and nighttime cooling
- You want larger battery autonomy
B. Selecting Solar Panel Capacity (kW)
Higher solar capacity means
- Faster charging
- Better performance in cloudy weather conditions
- Longer cooling at night
Recommended capacity:
5–6 kW: Light use
8–10 kW: Medium usage
12–15 kW: Heavy or commercial usage
C. Selecting Battery Storage (kWh)
Battery size is a determinant of nighttime and backup performance.
10–15 kWh: Daytime + short-night operation
20–30 kWh: Full-day stability
40–60 kWh: Commercial 24/7 cooling
How Solar Cold Rooms Save Costs in Nigeria
While the initial investment in a solar cold room is higher, they considerably cut down operating expenses over time. Conventionally, diesel-powered cold rooms would consume 10-20 litres of fuel per day, translating to US$20-$40 per day and up to $7,000-$14,000 per year. Besides the fuel cost, they also produce noise, fumes, and require frequent maintenance.
While it is admittedly cheaper to run grid-powered cold rooms, the reality in many parts of Nigeria is persistent power instability. These frequent power cuts not only frustrate smooth cooling but can also lead to spoilage of perishable goods and incur additional financial losses.
By comparison, a solar cold room has no fuel and supplies consistent cooling, even in remote or off-grid areas. Once the system is installed, the operating costs are almost zero each day, as it depends solely on sunlight. Recovering the investment for most users takes a year or two because of the savings on diesel and reduced product spoilage. For many farmers, traders, and fish sellers in Nigeria, the long-term cost savings alone make solar cold rooms very appealing.
Why Container-Based Solar Cold Rooms Are Popular
Cold rooms made from containers are becoming more popular due to their:
- Prebuilt and easy to deploy
- Portable-can be transported by truck
- Durable with reinforced steel and insulation
- Energy efficient - 100–120 mm insulated panels
- Scalable—multiple units can be installed side by side
- Weather resistant up to 43 °C
- Suitable for remote areas
Systems such as LZY Energy's mobile refrigerated container are designed this way in order to simplify deployment into rural markets, farms, and coastal fisheries.
LZY-MSC4 Mobile Solar Cold Room: Features and Uses
The LZY-MSC4 Mobile Solar Powered Refrigerated Container is designed to give reliable, efficient cold storage with the following key features:
- 100–120 mm polyurethane insulation for minimum thermal loss
- Energy-saving swing doors with PVC strip curtains
- High-efficiency solar panels with long-term performance.
- Lithium batteries for extended lifespan
- Hybrid power options: solar + grid/generator
- DC/AC surge protection for electrical safety
- Anti-slip flooring and robust shelving
- Smart energy management maintaining +20°C to –20°C
All these features make LZY-MSC4 ideal for a wide range of applications across Nigeria, including agriculture, fisheries, dairy and poultry, hospitals and clinics, supermarkets, hotels, cold-chain logistics, and rural cooperative storage.
Conclusion
It is crucial to understand the price of a solar cold room in Nigeria before making an investment in it. Proper selection of container size and solar capacity is necessary for the efficiency and reliability of the system. While the initial cost for a solar cold room is higher, it allows for long-term energy savings and better preservation of products, with independence from unstable grid power. The containerized systems, like the LZY-MSC4 Mobile Solar Powered Refrigerated Container, offer an ideal combination of portability, durability, and energy efficiency that would place them among the best choices to meet modern cold storage needs in Nigeria.