A solar pumping machine in Nigeria costs about ₦260,000 to ₦690,000 for the pump and controller in October 2026, and ₦750,000–₦800,000 for a Grundfos solar submersible. Most 1hp DC borehole pumps sell for ₦350,000–₦550,000, before you add two or three solar panels.

Quick answer

1hp DC solar pump: about ₦260,000–₦550,000 (pump + controller).
1.5hp–2hp DC or AC/DC pump: about ₦310,000–₦690,000.
Panels: rule of thumb, 1.3–1.5 watts of panel per watt of pump. A 1hp pump needs about 1,000–1,100W, i.e. two 550W panels.
No battery needed: the pump fills your overhead tank while the sun shines.
Normal 1hp AC pump on an inverter: plan for a 3.5kVA–5kVA inverter because of start-up surge.

Running a borehole on a petrol generator is one of the most expensive habits in a Nigerian home. Every tank of water costs fuel, and the pump stops when NEPA does. A solar pumping machine runs straight from panels during the day and costs nothing to run after you buy it. This guide covers DC submersible borehole pumps, surface pumps, how many panels each size needs, and what to do if you want to keep your existing AC pump and run it on an inverter.

How much is a solar pumping machine in Nigeria?

We checked Jiji listings in Lagos (Orile, Ojo, Badagry, Yaba), Abuja (Dei-Dei), Ibadan and Port Harcourt, plus a 2026 Nigerian pump price guide. Prices are for the pump and its controller box, usually with some cable. Panels are extra.

Pump	Type	Price range	Examples seen
0.5hp DC solar pump	Submersible / surface	about ₦400,000	Brand-new 0.5hp DC pump, Ojo
1hp DC solar pump	Mostly submersible	₦260,000 – ₦550,000	₦260,000 (Ibadan); ₦550,000 submersible (Orile)
1hp AC/DC solar pump	Submersible or surface	₦350,000 – ₦450,000	Submersible ₦350,000 (Port Harcourt); Yohako ₦400,000; surface ₦450,000 (Abuja)
1.5hp DC or AC/DC	Mixed	₦310,000 – ₦650,000	Many at ₦430,000; Samking 1.5hp ₦650,000; 3″ irrigation pump ₦210,000
2hp DC or AC/DC	Submersible	₦330,000 – ₦690,000	2hp DC ₦330,000 (Yaba); Samking 2hp AC/DC ₦690,000
Grundfos solar submersible	Submersible	₦750,000 – ₦800,000	From a 2026 Nigerian price guide

Prices checked October 2026 from Nigerian retailers and marketplaces (Jiji, NigerianQueries); prices change often with the exchange rate.

The spread is wide because “1hp” on a cheap pump and “1hp” on a branded one are not the same thing. Branded pumps publish a flow-and-head chart and use stainless steel bodies. Cheap ones often do not. Always ask for the maximum head (lifting height) and flow in litres per hour.

DC solar submersible pump or surface pump: which do you need?

The answer depends on where your water is.

	DC submersible (borehole)	DC surface pump
Where it sits	Inside the borehole, under water	On the ground beside a well, tank or river
Best for	Boreholes, deep wells	Shallow wells (suction lift about 7–8 m), tank-to-tank, irrigation
Lifting height	Pushes water up tens of metres (check the head chart)	Limited suction; good at pushing water along pipes
Servicing	Must be pulled out of the hole	Easy to reach and repair
Theft risk	Low, it is underground	Higher, lock it in a cage

Our comparison based on manufacturer and seller specifications, October 2026.

If you already have a borehole drilled with a normal AC submersible inside, you can replace it with a DC solar submersible of similar size. The pipe and borehole stay the same; you add panels, a controller and new DC cable. Many DC solar pumps use brushless motors with an MPPT controller, so they start gently and keep pumping slowly on cloudy mornings rather than stopping dead.

“AC/DC” or hybrid pumps accept either solar DC or grid AC through the same controller. They cost a bit more, but you can switch to NEPA or a generator during a long rainy spell.

How many solar panels does a 1hp solar pump need?

One horsepower is about 746 watts. Solar panels rarely give their full rated output in Nigerian heat, so installers size the array bigger than the pump. A common rule of thumb is 1.3–1.5 watts of panel for every watt of pump.

Worked example for a 1hp pump: 746W × 1.4 = about 1,050W of panels. Two 550W panels give 1,100W, which fits. For a 2hp pump: 1,492W × 1.4 = about 2,090W, so four 550W panels (2,200W).

Pump size	Pump watts	Panel watts needed (×1.3–1.5)	Typical panels
0.5hp	about 370W	480W – 560W	1 × 550W, or 2 × 300W
0.75hp	about 560W	730W – 840W	2 × 450W
1hp	about 746W	970W – 1,120W	2 × 550W
1.5hp	about 1,120W	1,460W – 1,680W	3 × 550W
2hp	about 1,490W	1,940W – 2,240W	4 × 550W

Our estimates using a 1.3–1.5× sizing rule; always follow the pump maker’s recommended array voltage and wattage.

Check one more thing: the controller’s input voltage range. A 48V or 72V DC pump needs panels wired in series to reach that voltage, so two 550W panels in parallel may not start it. Your seller should tell you exactly how to wire the panels for that controller. Current panel prices are in our solar panel price guide.

Can I run my normal 1hp pumping machine on an inverter?

Yes, but the inverter must handle the start-up surge. An ordinary AC pump has an induction motor. For a split second when it starts, it draws several times its running power, often around three times or more. That surge is what trips small inverters and makes the “overload” alarm beep.

Worked example: a 1hp pump runs at about 750W–1,000W. At three times that, the start-up surge is about 2,250W–3,000W for a moment. A 2.5kVA inverter (about 2,000W continuous) will struggle. A 3.5kVA inverter can usually start it if little else is running. A 5kVA inverter gives you comfortable headroom to start the pump while the fridge and lights stay on.

Run the pump in the afternoon, when the panels are producing, so the energy comes from the sun and not the battery.
Use a float switch in the overhead tank so the pump stops automatically when the tank is full.
Do not start the pump at the same time as an AC or pressing iron. Two surges together are what trip inverters.
Consider a soft starter or VFD for larger pumps; it ramps the motor up slowly and cuts the surge.

Our solar load calculator lets you add the pump with its surge and see which inverter size and battery you need. If you are still deciding between solar, an inverter or sticking with the generator, see generator vs inverter vs solar.

Dedicated solar pump or inverter: which is cheaper?

If water is the main thing you want solar for, a dedicated DC pump with two or three panels is usually cheaper. You need no inverter and no battery, which are the most expensive parts of any home solar system.

If you are already buying a 3.5kVA–5kVA solar system for the house, it often makes sense to keep your existing AC pump and run it from that system during sunny hours. You avoid buying a second set of panels, but you must size the inverter for the surge.

For farms, poultry and fish ponds outside town, the dedicated solar pump wins clearly. There is no fuel to buy or carry, and nothing for anyone to siphon.

What should I check before buying a solar pump?

Borehole depth and water level. Your driller’s record shows the static water level. Pick a pump whose head chart covers that depth plus the height of your tank stand.
Borehole diameter. Most home boreholes take 3- or 4-inch pumps. Measure before you buy.
Daily water need. A family of six might use 600–1,000 litres a day. Compare that with the pump’s litres per hour at your head.
Copper winding and stainless body. Ask, and check reviews. Cheap pumps from Alaba or Orile can fail quickly in sandy boreholes.
Dry-run protection. A good controller stops the pump when the borehole runs low, which saves the motor.
Warranty and a real shop. You will need after-sales support if the controller fails.

Need help choosing? Contact us or browse our shop.

Frequently asked questions

Does a solar borehole pump need a battery?

No. The usual design pumps water into an overhead tank during the day, and the tank is your storage. Adding a battery raises the cost a lot for little gain.

Will a solar pump work on a cloudy day?

Yes, at a lower flow. Brushless DC pumps with MPPT controllers keep pumping slowly in weak light. Over a long rainy spell you may fill the tank fewer times, which is where an AC/DC hybrid pump helps.

What size inverter can start a 1.5hp pump?

A 1.5hp pump runs at roughly 1,100–1,500W and can surge to about 3,500–4,500W. Plan for a 5kVA inverter, and do not run other heavy loads at the moment it starts.

Can I convert my existing borehole to solar?

Yes. Pull out the AC pump, drop in a DC solar submersible of similar size, run DC cable to a controller, and connect the panels. The pipe and tank stay as they are.