Everyone would love to have 24 hours of electricity in their homes, and that’s what many Solar Electricity SPs promise to offer. Well, in Nigeria, one of the most popular (best-selling) portable solar system electricity system is the Lumos Solar System. Lumos partnered with MTN to provide small homes with 24hours electricity (as claimed), but that’s not what they brought to Nigerians. Here’s my Lumos Solar Electricity System review.

What is MTN Lumos Solar?

It’s actually not owned by MTN. Lumos is an international company that manufactures solar systems to provide people with an alternative way to have steady electricity without noise. Lumos solar system is actually meant to replace noisy generators in homes while minimizing the cost of having steady electricity. The company looks promising and the Lumos Solar System (sold by MTN) actually works, but…

Tech Specs of Lumos Solar Panel and Battery

• The solar panel is 80W
• 12-volt battery
• Two USB ports (5V DC / 2.1A)
• Four DC Output jacks (12V / 2A)
• Two Car Cigarette Sockets (12V / 8A)
• Comes with a 60W power inverter

Feature of Lumos solar system (panel and battery)

The panel is no different from the typical solar panels you’ve seen. However, Lumos solar system (the yellow box) is highly computerized. There’s an LCD screen on the yellow box, alongside a few buttons. Also, the system features two cigarette ports where you can connect your power inverter.

What’s in the box?

The panel is sidelined with the box; however, you’ll get the following in total.

• The yellow box (computerized solar battery system)
• 2 DC bulbs
• 60W power inverter
• A manual

My Lumos Solar System Review

I got the system around February 2019 when I needed to get something done and the use of generators is prohibited in the place I was living at that time. Looking at how urgent I needed electricity at that time, I quickly rushed to the nearest MTN office and requested Lumos. However, I never knew much about how it works. I was just thinking it would work like typical solar systems.

So, I got the system for N20,000 after the seemingly long process of signing up, plus guarantors. A certified Lumos installer was referred to me and I paid N3,500 for the solar installation.

I must say that I never knew you could buy up this system at a go (by paying a one-time fee); well, I’m glad i didn’t know, cos I would have paid off at a go and it will be a total waste.

So, by the time the installation was complete, I paid a total of N23,500.  But, before you can use the system, you must connect the 60W power inverter, then connect your extension (socket) where you can now plug in your compatible appliances. Hence, if the power converter goes bad, there’s no alternative way for you to power your appliances.

Here are the things I used the Lumos Solar system to power;

• LED TV
• 15.6-inch HP laptop
• Samsung tablet
• Smartphones (2)
• Smartwatch
• CableTV decoder
• Hair clipper (sometimes)

Asides from these appliances above, I don’t use any other gadgets with the system.

Now, here are the flaws you’ll experience with the Lumos system.

The bad sides of MTN Lumos Solar System

• There is no way to pause your subscription; even when you’re away, you must have an active subscription for your yellow box
• The system will always go off when you plug in a rechargeable torchlight
• The capacity is very low; it couldn’t power my TV and Laptop at the same time
• It often goes off or shows “overload” notice when you connect some phone chargers or small capacity appliances

My worst moments using this solar system

My worst experience with the Lumos Solar System was when my 60W power inverter went bad; the inverter started malfunctioning and I went back to the place I bought the system to pick up a new power inverter as it was among the freebies attached to the warranty.

But, I was informed that the converter, was nowhere available in my state. This was so frustrating because my subscription was wasting, and there was no other way to convert the DC energy to power my stuff.

Also, I was cautioned not to use another power inverter so as not to void or bridge the T&C’s. Cutting the whole long story short, It’s 3 months now and I’m yet to get a new converter from MTN/Lumos. Each time I called, I’m told that the converter is not yet available in my state. To worsen it all, I was even called a few hours ago and told to renew my subscription because it has expired. Imagine? I’ve not used the system for a whole three months, what am I paying for?

Well, you can buy this Power Inverter to use in place of the default 60W inverter. This power inverter offers a whopping 150W, more than x2 of what you get from the default power inverter (60W). There are a couple of features available on this power inverter that are handy. But using this inverter with the Lumos yellow box isn’t as efficient as you may expect it to be. I won’t say much about the inverter…

Honestly, I don’t think the Lumos Solar System sold by MTN is an option for anyone, including students.

MTN Lumos Price and Subscription Plans 2022 [Updated]

You’ll pay a one-time payment of NGN20,000 to buy the Lumos system and continue paying up the balance in installments. However, you can buy up this system at a go by paying NGN219,000.

Below are the subscription plans of MTN Lumos Solar as of February 2022.

Number of days	Price per day	Total plan price	SMS code
1 day	N 360	N 360	Send 1 to 317
5 days	N 312	N 1,560	Send 5 to 317
10 days	N 276	N 2,760	Send 10 to 317
20 Days	N 258	N 5,160	Send 20 to 317
30 Days	N 216	N 6,480	Send 30 to 317
60 days	N 200	N 12,000	Send 60 to 317
90 days	N 187	N 16,800	Send 90 to 317
180 days	N 174	N 31,200	Send 180 to 317
365 days	N 168	N 61,200	Send 365 to 317
1800 days	–	–	–

Honestly, I would never recommend this solar system to anyone. The subscription prices keep increasing rapidly; the prices are already up over 15% since I got the system. There are other better alternatives out there – HONESTLY!

Current Price of MTN Lumos Solar System Accessories

Do you need to replace your Lumos solar bulb, extend the cable, or buy any other accessories that come with the yellow box? Here are the current prices of the accessories.

Accessory	Price (N)
LED Bulb (5W DC 12v with Switch)	NGN 3,444
Meind converter 60 Watts	NGN 4,920
CE Links converter – 85watts	NGN 7,080
Cable 5m Extension LED Bulb (DC 5.5MM)	NGN 3,318
Cable 5m cigarette (Female to Male)	NGN 2,400
Solar cable	NGN 13,884

You can buy these accessories from their various official warehouses nationwide; here’s the full list of Lumos Solar System warehouses.

Update!!!

This Lumos yellow box is now available on Jumia at a cheaper price. So, if you don’t want to follow the MTN procedure(s), you can buy the Lumos Solar System on Jumia. Nevertheless, I still don’t recommend the Lumos solar system. It is simply an expensive computerized box. Buy Lumos Solar System on Jumia

Update 2022 June

Sadly, the Lumos Boxes are no longer available on Jumia. 

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

What is MTN Lumos’ customer care number?

You can simply call 180 and request to be connected with a Lumos agent, or call 017008631.

What is the capacity of MTN Lumos Solar?

The panel is 80W and the battery is a 12V battery; this system is said to offer up to 100W (cumulative) output.

What can you connect to MTN Lumos Solar?

Hair clippers, plastic blade fans, mobile phones, LED TV, LED light bulbs, soldering iron, and laptops.

How to Install MTN Lumos Solar?

The company (Lumos) strongly advises that you contact a certified Lumos installer.

How to Subscribe To Lumos solar?

Simply choose a plan from the table above and SMS the plan code to 317.

Summary

This solar system seems more interesting when you hear people talking about it. Also, the MTN partnership helped to convince a lot of people. But in the real sense, this system is a “big box for nothing.”

Originally posted on January 2, 2020 @ 8:55 pm