Inverter for Filling Station in Nigeria 2026
If NEPA cuts power and your STP stops, your filling station stops selling fuel. For most Nigerian filling stations, the modern setup is the Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid + 12kWh Lithium Complete System at ₦5,547,000. Turnkey bundle: the 11kVA inverter, 12kWh LiFePO4 lithium battery, all cables and accessories, professional installation, and a 5-year battery warranty, all included. The 11kVA rates 11,000W continuous with 22,000VA surge headroom on a 48V bank, handles 1HP through 2HP STP startup loads, and has MPPT solar input built in for future panel expansion. LiFePO4 lithium delivers 6,000+ cycles at 80 percent DoD, with no electrolyte maintenance. For a station cycling its bank every day, this is the cleanest single-SKU answer.
Budget alternative: Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid + 8×300W Solar + 4×200Ah GEL Complete System at ₦5,318,000. Same 11kVA inverter, paired with 8×300W mono solar panels (2,400W array) and 4×200Ah sealed GEL batteries (48V bank), with battery rack, cables, professional installation, and after-sales support included. Gives roughly 3 hours of bridge runtime on a typical two-pump forecourt, with daily solar offsetting battery charging cost. GEL is sealed maintenance-free, no electrolyte top-up. Where the budget needs to come down a bit on the lithium tier but you still want solar from day one, this is the buy.
Premium and high-volume: Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid + 15kWh Lithium + 20×450W Solar Complete System at ₦9,538,000. Full premium turnkey: 15kWh LiFePO4 lithium, 20×450W mono solar panels (9,000W array), professional installation, and a 5-year battery warranty. For 24-hour stations, high-volume forecourts, or operators who want significant daytime solar offset on their forecourt loads. The 9kW array is large enough to handle most daytime forecourt demand on full-sun days.
The STP Problem: Why Filling Stations Lose Sales During Outages
Nigerians search for this problem in different ways: inverter for filling station, petrol station inverter, fuel station backup power, inverter for fuel dispenser, inverter for fuel pump, or STP pump inverter. The real issue is the same on every forecourt: once the submersible turbine pump (STP) loses power, fuel stops moving from the underground tank to the dispenser, and the forecourt stops selling.
Most filling station owners think the problem is just the dispenser display going dark. The real problem is deeper, literally. The submersible turbine pump (STP) sitting inside the underground storage tank is the motor that actually pushes fuel up the riser pipe to the dispenser on the forecourt. The dispenser itself is essentially a flow meter and nozzle controller.
When NEPA cuts, the STP stops. Even if you have a UPS that keeps the dispenser display lit, no fuel moves, because the pump underground is dead. The customer at the nozzle waits a few seconds, realises nothing is coming, and drives away. The next car in the queue follows. By the time your generator starts (10 to 30 seconds), the forecourt is emptying.
STP horsepower varies by tank depth and dispenser type. Common Nigerian forecourt STPs are typically in the 0.75HP to 2HP range, with 4HP units used at very high-volume or deep-tank stations. Before sizing the inverter, check the nameplate on the STP control box or the pump itself. Getting the horsepower wrong is the most common cause of underpowered inverter installs. If you cannot find the nameplate, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will identify it.
The inverter advantage: a Mercury pure sine wave inverter switches from NEPA to battery power in under 20 milliseconds. When correctly sized and properly wired through the right transfer arrangement, the inverter can keep the forecourt powered through short outages with little or no noticeable interruption. Final behaviour depends on the STP control panel, contactors, dispenser electronics, and installation design. That is how filling stations protect fuel sales during NEPA cuts.
Filling Station Load Reference
Before sizing the inverter, list every load on the forecourt. The STP motors dominate the calculation; everything else is secondary. Use the table below for typical Nigerian filling station equipment.
| Equipment | Running Watts | Design Surge (W) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| STP motor, 0.75HP (per tank) | ~560W | ~1,700W | Smaller forecourts, shallower tanks. |
| STP motor, 1HP (per tank) | ~750W | ~2,200W | Common on many small and medium forecourts. |
| STP motor, 1.5HP (per tank) | ~1,120W | ~3,400W | Twin-nozzle or longer riser pipe. |
| STP motor, 2HP (per tank) | ~1,500W | ~4,400W | Twin-nozzle, high-volume dispensers. |
| Dispenser controller and display | 40 to 80W | Minimal | Per dispenser unit. |
| POS terminal | 30 to 50W | Minimal | Per active terminal. |
| Canopy LED lighting | 200 to 600W | Minimal | Depends on canopy size. |
| Forecourt LED flood lights | 100 to 300W | Minimal | Night operation. |
| Office and manager cabin | 200 to 400W | variable | Lights, fan, PC, CCTV DVR. |
| CCTV system (4 to 8 cameras + DVR) | 60 to 120W | Minimal | Critical security load. |
| Air compressor (tyre inflation) | 750 to 1,500W | ~2,200W | Intermittent. Do not start during STP startup. |
About the surge column: the figures above are planning estimates for inverter sizing, not exact measurements. Real STP startup inrush can be higher depending on horsepower, starter type, motor age, cable run, tank depth, and voltage condition on the day. Always confirm the STP nameplate, then allow installer margin before final specification. Size the inverter against the design surge, not the running wattage.
Load Calculations: Which Inverter for Your Station?
Small Station (2 Dispensers, 2 Tanks, 1HP STPs)
A typical small-to-medium Nigerian filling station has two dispensing points, PMS and AGO, each served by a single 1HP STP in the underground tank.
| Equipment | Qty | Running W Each | Total Running |
|---|---|---|---|
| STP motor 1HP (PMS tank) | 1 | 750W | 750W |
| STP motor 1HP (AGO tank) | 1 | 750W | 750W |
| Dispenser controllers | 4 | 60W | 240W |
| POS terminals | 2 | 40W | 80W |
| Canopy LED lights | 1 set | 300W | 300W |
| Office (lights, fan, PC, CCTV) | 1 | 300W | 300W |
| Total running (both STPs active) | 2,420W | ||
| Peak: one STP starts while other runs + all loads | 3,870W | ||
Primary recommendation: Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid MPPT at ₦1,716,000. The 11kVA runs a 48V battery bank, which means a sensible starter setup is just 4 x 220Ah tubular batteries (48V / 220Ah). It rates 11,000W continuous with substantial surge headroom on a 48V bank, so the 3,870W peak (one 1HP STP starting while everything else runs) sits well inside its envelope. It also has MPPT solar input built in, so panels can offset daily battery charging.
Alternative: Mercury 7.5kVA Pure Sine at ₦1,550,000. The 7.5kVA delivers 6,000W of continuous real power, also adequate for this peak. The catch is voltage: the 7.5kVA runs a 120V battery bank, which requires 10 x 12V batteries in series as a minimum. That gives longer runtime from day one because the buyer is putting in a larger bank from the start, but the upfront battery cost and battery-room space are both higher. The 11kVA + 4 batteries gives a cheaper entry ticket for short bridge backup. A 4kVA inverter at 3,200W real power cannot handle this surge peak reliably. A 3kVA or 5kVA is ruled out for STP loads.
Larger Station (3 Tanks, 2HP STPs)
| Equipment | Qty | Running W Each | Total Running |
|---|---|---|---|
| STP motor 2HP (PMS) | 1 | 1,500W | 1,500W |
| STP motor 2HP (AGO) | 1 | 1,500W | 1,500W |
| STP motor 1HP (DPK) | 1 | 750W | 750W |
| Dispensers, POS, canopy, office | various | various | 900W |
| Total running (all STPs active) | 4,650W | ||
| Peak: one 2HP STP starts while other 2HP + 1HP run | 7,550W | ||
Recommendation: Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid MPPT at ₦1,716,000. At 7,550W peak surge with all loads running and one 2HP STP starting, you need significant headroom. The Mercury 11kVA Hybrid rates 11,000W continuous with substantial surge headroom on a 48V bank, so it handles this peak with solid margin. It also integrates solar panels through its MPPT charge controller, which reduces daily battery charging costs over time, a meaningful benefit for a station running heavy loads every day. The 7.5kVA at 6,000W continuous is over-stressed at this peak.
- Recommended: Mercury 11kVA + 12kWh Lithium Complete System at ₦5,547,000. Single-SKU turnkey: 11kVA inverter, 12kWh LiFePO4 battery, all cables, accessories, and professional installation included. 5-year battery warranty. 6,000+ cycle life at 80 percent DoD, sealed and maintenance-free, and better suited to daily cycling than lead-acid when installed correctly outside hazardous dispenser and tank zones. Roughly 3.4 hours of runtime at a typical 2-pump forecourt continuous load.
- Budget alternative with solar: Mercury 11kVA + 8×300W Solar + 4×200Ah GEL Complete System at ₦5,318,000. Single-SKU turnkey including the 11kVA inverter, 8×300W mono solar panels (2,400W array), 4×200Ah GEL batteries (48V bank), battery rack, cables, and professional installation. Sealed GEL batteries (no electrolyte top-up), 700-cycle life at 80 percent DoD. Roughly 3 hours of runtime at a typical 2-pump forecourt continuous load, with daily solar offsetting battery charging.
- Premium for 24-hour or high-volume forecourts: Mercury 11kVA + 15kWh Lithium + 20×450W Solar Complete System at ₦9,538,000. Full premium turnkey: 15kWh LiFePO4 lithium, 20×450W mono solar panels (9,000W array), professional installation, 5-year battery warranty. Roughly 4.2 hours of forecourt runtime with substantial daytime solar offset on a 9kW array.
- Not Recommended for STP Loads: 5kVA and smaller inverters. A 5kVA at 4,000W continuous has almost no surge margin for a starting STP motor and is unsuitable as the primary backup for fuel dispensing. It can back up non-pump loads (POS, lights, CCTV) on a split-circuit install only.
Battery Sizing for Filling Stations
The three complete systems above already package the inverter with a sized battery bank. The table below shows expected runtime at a typical 2-pump forecourt continuous load of around 2,420W (two 1HP STPs, dispenser controllers, POS, canopy lighting, office, CCTV). The remaining tables in this section are engineering reference for buyers comparing chemistries, sizing a custom configuration, or scaling up an existing bank.
Complete-System Runtime at 2,420W (Typical 2-Pump Forecourt)
| Complete System | Battery Bank | Runtime at 2,420W | Solar Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11kVA + 8×300W Solar + 4×200Ah GEL (₦5,318,000) | 4 x 200Ah GEL (48V, 800Ah at 12V equivalent) | ~3.0 hours | 2,400W array offsets daytime charging |
| 11kVA + 12kWh Lithium (₦5,547,000) | 12kWh LiFePO4 at 48V | ~3.4 hours | No panels; MPPT input ready for expansion |
| 11kVA + 15kWh Lithium + 20×450W Solar (₦9,538,000) | 15kWh LiFePO4 at 48V | ~4.2 hours | 9,000W array covers most daytime forecourt load |
Filling stations typically run 6am to 10pm (16 hours). Where grid supply is poor, a station may need several hours of non-grid coverage daily, which is why most serious systems combine inverter backup with generator support and, where possible, solar charging. The math below uses 80 percent depth of discharge for tubular, GEL, and LiFePO4 lithium batteries as practical maximum sizing figures, with inverter efficiency estimated at 85 percent. For longer lead-acid battery life, size the bank so normal daily discharge is shallower, ideally closer to 50 to 60 percent where budget allows.
Critical: match the battery bank voltage to the inverter. The Mercury 11kVA runs a 48V battery bank. The Mercury 7.5kVA runs a 120V battery bank. The two are not interchangeable: you cannot run a 7.5kVA on four 12V batteries, and a 48V bank will not start the 7.5kVA. The complete systems above are 11kVA at 48V; any custom 7.5kVA build needs a 120V bank from day one.
Runtime formula: Hours = (V × Ah × DoD × Efficiency) ÷ Load Watts, or for lithium Hours = (kWh × DoD × Efficiency) ÷ Load Watts. DoD: 80 percent for tubular, GEL, and LiFePO4 at filling-station duty. Inverter efficiency: 85 percent. You can sanity-check the numbers with the Mercury battery runtime calculator.
Engineering Reference: 11kVA + Lithium Bank Sizing
| Bank Size | Battery Bank | Runtime at 2,420W | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10kWh LiFePO4 | 10kWh at 48V | ~2.8 hours | Below complete-system tier; custom build only. |
| 12kWh LiFePO4 | 12kWh at 48V | ~3.4 hours | Matches the 11kVA + 12kWh Complete System SKU. |
| 15kWh LiFePO4 | 15kWh at 48V | ~4.2 hours | Matches the 11kVA + 15kWh + Solar Complete System SKU. |
| 20kWh LiFePO4 | 20kWh at 48V | ~5.6 hours | For very high-volume or 24-hour forecourts; custom-quoted. |
Engineering Reference: 11kVA + Tubular Bank Sizing
For buyers who want to scale the 11kVA inverter with tubular component batteries rather than the GEL or lithium complete systems above. Adds monthly distilled-water maintenance and a bank replacement cycle every 3 to 5 years in filling-station duty.
| Bank Size | Battery Bank | Runtime at 2,420W | Battery Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 4 x 220Ah tubular (48V / 220Ah, 1 string of 4 in series) | ~3.0 hours | ₦1,180,000 |
| Mid | 8 x 220Ah tubular (48V / 440Ah, 2 strings parallel) | ~5.9 hours | ₦2,360,000 |
| Long-outage | 12 x 220Ah tubular (48V / 660Ah, 3 strings parallel) | ~8.9 hours | ₦3,540,000 |
Engineering Reference: 7.5kVA + Tubular Bank Sizing (120V Build)
The 7.5kVA inverter requires a 120V battery bank, which means a minimum of 10 batteries in series. Larger entry bank from day one, with higher upfront battery cost and more battery-room space. The complete-system SKUs above are all 11kVA-based; a 7.5kVA build is a custom configuration.
| Bank Size | Battery Bank | Runtime at 2,420W | Battery Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum 7.5kVA bank | 10 x 220Ah tubular (120V / 220Ah, 1 string of 10 in series) | ~7.4 hours | ₦2,950,000 |
| Extended 7.5kVA bank | 20 x 220Ah tubular (120V / 440Ah, 2 strings parallel) | ~14.8 hours | ₦5,900,000 |
NEPA-charging caveat: the inverter still needs to be charged from NEPA, solar, or a generator. What it reduces is generator-first operation. Short outages are handled by the inverter, while the generator is reserved for long cuts or battery recharge. Add solar through the 11kVA’s MPPT input and the running-cost advantage improves further. With a Mercury complete inverter system, you keep dispensers live during the switchover and use the generator only when extended cuts demand it.
Recommended setup for most filling stations: Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid MPPT paired with a LiFePO4 lithium bank sized to your target runtime, plus your existing diesel or petrol generator for extended-cut coverage. The inverter bridges short outages and transfer delays, helping you avoid the immediate sales interruption that happens when STPs and dispensers drop during a power cut. The generator (started within 30 seconds, or set to auto-start) recharges the bank and carries long-cut loads. If lithium upfront is not yet on the table, the same 11kVA on a 4 to 12 battery tubular bank still works. See the Mercury inverter-to-battery wiring guide for series-parallel layout on a 48V bank.
Why Pure Sine Wave Is Non-Negotiable for STP Motors
STP motors are induction motors. They are designed to run on a clean AC sine wave. Feed them a modified sine wave (a stepped approximation) and three things happen, all of them bad. First, the motor windings overheat because the waveform contains harmonics the motor was not built to handle. Second, motor efficiency drops by 10 to 20 percent, which means more current draw for the same fuel flow, and faster battery drain. Third, motor lifespan shortens significantly. A Nigerian filling station that ran modified sine wave for STPs would replace its pumps in months instead of years.
The POS terminals, CCTV system, and office computers also require pure sine wave power for stable, error-free operation. There is no scenario in a filling station where modified sine wave makes sense. Mercury inverters in the recommended range are all pure sine wave output by design.
Forecourt Installation Safety
A filling station is a hazardous environment. Petrol vapour is present around dispensers, vent risers, and tank manholes, especially during truck offloading and on hot afternoons. An inverter install for a forecourt is not a normal residential inverter install. Treat it as commercial electrical work, not DIY.
- Use a qualified electrical technician. Final installation must be done by someone familiar with forecourt safety, proper isolation, earthing, and changeover protection. If your installer cannot speak to these topics, find a different installer.
- Keep the inverter and battery bank out of any hazardous dispenser zone. Install them in a separate, well-ventilated equipment room set back from dispenser islands, vent stacks, and tank manholes. Lead-acid battery rooms can generate hydrogen during charging, so ventilation is non-negotiable for tubular or GEL banks. Lithium banks do not require electrolyte top-up, but they still need correct spacing, DC protection, BMS protection, and installation outside hazardous dispenser or tank zones.
- Specify a proper changeover or automatic transfer switch. The inverter, generator, and NEPA supply must be properly isolated so they can never feed each other. A wrong changeover wiring can destroy the inverter or back-feed the grid.
- Earth everything correctly. Forecourt equipment, the inverter chassis, and the battery rack must all be bonded to a properly tested earth electrode. This is a safety requirement, not a nice-to-have.
- Specify cable sizes correctly. A 48V or 120V battery bank carries serious current at full load. Undersized DC cabling causes voltage drop, heat, and in extreme cases fire. Confirm cable sizes with your installer and refer to the Mercury wiring guide.
Mercury Direct supplies the inverter, batteries, solar panels where required, and ancillary protection, and our installation team handles forecourt installation free of charge in Lagos, with delivery available nationwide. Our installers are familiar with forecourt safety, transfer switching, and battery-room design. WhatsApp us your station location and we will schedule a site assessment.
Battery Lifespan: Protecting Your Investment
A four-battery bank costs around ₦1,180,000 for tubular or ₦1,532,000 for sealed GEL. That is a large enough number that it deserves protection. Three habits make the difference between batteries that last four years and batteries that last sixteen months.
- Never discharge below 20 percent state of charge (lead-acid) or 10 percent (LiFePO4). The DoD figures used in the sizing math above are maximums, not daily targets. If your inverter is hitting those levels by mid-evening, you need a bigger bank.
- Top up tubular battery electrolyte monthly. Distilled water only, never tap water. Skipping this step is the single biggest reason tubular banks fail early in Nigeria. LiFePO4 banks are sealed and need no electrolyte top-up, which is one of the main reasons busy filling stations upgrade to lithium.
- Keep batteries cool and ventilated. Battery enclosures in direct forecourt sun lose lifespan fast. A shaded, ventilated battery room near the inverter is worth the install cost.
The full Mercury battery lifespan guide covers maintenance, charging best practice, and common failure modes in detail.
Mercury Direct Complete Systems for Filling Stations (May 2026)
Prices verified on mercurydirect.com.ng. Mercury Direct sells filling-station-grade inverter systems as complete bundled SKUs: inverter, batteries, cables, and professional installation in a single price. Solar panels are included on two of the three SKUs below. All Mercury Direct complete systems include professional installation, with same-day delivery within Lagos and nationwide delivery within 48 hours.
| Complete System | Price | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury 11kVA + 8×300W Solar + 4×200Ah GEL | ₦5,318,000 | 11kVA inverter, 8×300W mono solar panels (2,400W array), 4×200Ah GEL deep-cycle batteries (48V bank), battery rack, cables, accessories, professional installation, after-sales support. | Budget tier with solar. ~3 hours runtime on typical 2-pump forecourt. Sealed GEL maintenance-free. Daily solar offsets battery charging. |
| Mercury 11kVA + 12kWh Lithium | ₦5,547,000 | 11kVA inverter, 12kWh LiFePO4 lithium battery, all cables and accessories, professional installation. 5-year battery warranty. Solar panels not included (MPPT input available for future expansion). | Recommended for most filling stations. ~3.4 hours runtime at typical forecourt load. 6,000+ cycle life, sealed maintenance-free, single-SKU simplicity. |
| Mercury 11kVA + 15kWh Lithium + 20×450W Solar | ₦9,538,000 | 11kVA inverter, 15kWh LiFePO4 lithium battery, 20×450W mono solar panels (9,000W array), all cables and accessories, professional installation. 5-year battery warranty. | Premium and high-volume. ~4.2 hours runtime, large solar array offsets most daytime forecourt load. For 24-hour stations or high-volume operators. |
Why complete systems, not component stacks: a filling-station install is commercial electrical work that combines AC and DC sides, transfer arrangement, battery-room layout, and forecourt safety zoning. Buying inverter, batteries, cables, and installation separately leaves coordination gaps that fail on the day. Mercury’s complete systems are single-SKU and arrive on site as a single project, with one team owning every connection from PV to dispenser circuit.
Components and Pricing Reference (for engineers and reviewers)
The standalone component prices below are for engineering reference, custom configurations, or stations that want to scale up an existing bank. For new installs, use one of the three complete systems above.
| Standalone Component | Price | Reference Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid MPPT (inverter only) | ₦1,716,000 | 11,000W continuous, 22,000VA surge, 48V battery bank, dual MPPT solar input (up to 11kW PV). 12-month warranty. |
| Mercury 7.5kVA Pure Sine Wave (inverter only) | ₦1,550,000 | 6,000W full-load at 0.8 PF, 120V battery bank (minimum 10×12V batteries in series). One-year warranty. |
| Mercury 200Ah GEL Deep Cycle | ₦383,000 | Sealed VRLA maintenance-free, 80 percent DoD, 700 cycles, 12-month warranty. |
| Mercury Elite 220Ah Tall Tubular | ₦295,000 | 1,200+ cycles, requires monthly distilled-water top-up, 12-month warranty. |
Related Guides
- Complete Inverter Buying Guide Nigeria
- What Can an 11kVA Inverter Power in Nigeria?
- Pure Sine Wave vs Modified Sine Wave Inverters
- Which Battery Is Best for an Inverter?
- Battery Runtime Calculator
- How to Increase Inverter Battery Lifespan
Inverter for Filling Station Nigeria FAQ
What size inverter does a filling station need in Nigeria?
For most small and medium stations, the cleanest modern fit is the Mercury 11kVA Solar Hybrid MPPT at ₦1,716,000 paired with a LiFePO4 lithium bank sized to target runtime. Where upfront budget is tighter, the same 11kVA can be paired with 4 to 12 tubular batteries on a 48V bank. The Mercury 7.5kVA at ₦1,550,000 is the higher-capacity tubular alternative: it runs a 120V bank (minimum 10 batteries in series), which delivers more energy at the minimum setup level but raises both upfront cost and battery-room space. A 4kVA or 5kVA cannot reliably handle STP startup surges and is not recommended as the primary backup. Stations with 2HP STPs or three or more tanks should go with the 11kVA.
What is an STP and how does it affect inverter sizing?
STP stands for submersible turbine pump, the motor unit inside the underground storage tank that pushes fuel up the riser pipe to the dispenser on the forecourt. The dispenser itself is mostly a flow meter and nozzle controller; the actual pumping work is done by the STP underground. When NEPA cuts, the STP stops and no fuel reaches the dispenser nozzle, even if the dispenser display is lit. The STP motor is the dominant load in any filling station inverter calculation. A 1HP STP draws around 750 watts running and surges to 2,200 watts at startup. A 2HP STP draws 1,500 watts running and surges to 4,400 watts.
Can an inverter run a filling station overnight?
With a sized battery bank, yes, but the cost is significant. A station running two 1HP STPs plus lighting and office draws around 2,000W continuously. For 8 hours on battery, the Ah requirement depends on the inverter’s bank voltage. On the Mercury 11kVA (48V bank): Ah = (2,000 × 8) ÷ (48 × 0.85 × 0.8) ~= 490Ah at 48V, which works out to 12 x 220Ah tubular batteries (3 strings of 4 in series) at around ₦3,540,000. On the Mercury 7.5kVA (120V bank): Ah = (2,000 × 8) ÷ (120 × 0.85 × 0.8) ~= 196Ah at 120V, which works out to 10 x 220Ah tubular batteries (1 string of 10 in series) at around ₦2,950,000. The inverter still needs charging from NEPA, solar, or a generator. Most operators pair the inverter with a generator instead: the inverter covers fast switching and short outages; the generator covers extended backup and recharges the battery bank.
Does a filling station inverter need to be pure sine wave?
Yes. The STP motor is an induction motor that requires a clean sine wave for efficient and safe operation. Modified sine wave inverters cause excess heat in motor windings, reduce motor efficiency by 10 to 20 percent, and accelerate motor wear. The POS terminals, CCTV system, and office computers also require pure sine wave power. There is no case for modified sine wave in a filling station.
How much does an inverter system for a filling station cost in Nigeria?
Mercury Direct sells filling-station-grade systems as complete bundled SKUs with installation included. There are three options that fit Nigerian forecourts: the Mercury 11kVA + 8×300W Solar + 4×200Ah GEL Complete System at ₦5,318,000 (budget tier with solar included), the Mercury 11kVA + 12kWh Lithium Complete System at ₦5,547,000 (recommended; 5-year battery warranty, no solar), or the Mercury 11kVA + 15kWh Lithium + 20×450W Solar Complete System at ₦9,538,000 (premium and high-volume). All three prices include professional installation, cables, accessories, and same-day delivery within Lagos or 48-hour nationwide delivery. The two lithium SKUs carry a 5-year battery warranty. The GEL system carries a 12-month warranty. The inverter still needs to be charged from NEPA, solar, or a generator, but the complete system reduces generator-first operation: short outages are handled from battery, with the generator reserved for long cuts or battery recharge.
Can a 5kVA inverter run a filling station?
Not as the primary backup for fuel dispensing. A 5kVA delivers around 4,000 watts of continuous real power. For a station with two 1HP STPs, the peak when one motor starts while the other is running plus all forecourt loads reaches about 3,870 watts. That leaves almost no headroom for additional loads or for the brief inrush event when the motor first energises. A 5kVA may be acceptable for a split-circuit install that only backs up non-pump loads (POS, lights, CCTV) while the generator covers the STPs, but it should not be specified as the only backup for a forecourt that depends on dispensing during outages. The Mercury 11kVA at 11,000W continuous is the right primary.
Is lithium worth it for a filling station?
For any station that will operate 5+ years, yes. The 10-year math makes this clear. A 4 x 220Ah tubular bank costs ₦1,180,000 today and typically needs replacement every 3 to 4 years under filling-station duty, so over a 10-year horizon you buy three banks (years 0, 4, 8) for around ₦3,540,000 in batteries alone, plus the labour of three install-and-disposal cycles and 120 months of distilled-water top-ups. A LiFePO4 lithium bank covering the same runtime is custom-priced higher upfront but typically lasts 8 to 10 years, holds 90 percent usable DoD against tubular’s 80 percent, is sealed and lower-maintenance, and is better suited to daily cycling, provided it is installed in a properly ventilated equipment room outside hazardous dispenser and tank zones. Lithium also pairs cleanly with the 11kVA’s MPPT solar input. For a 16-hour station, lithium usually wins on total cost of ownership over a 5+ year horizon; for a 24-hour station, the case is even stronger. WhatsApp us with your tank count, target runtime, and operating hours for a specific 11kVA plus lithium quote.
What happens to a filling station dispenser when NEPA cuts?
The STP (submersible turbine pump) in the underground tank stops immediately. The dispenser nozzle delivers nothing, the transaction in progress is interrupted, and the next car in the queue often leaves. During busy periods, even short outages can cause queues to break and customers to leave, especially where the generator takes time to start. A correctly sized and installed inverter system can prevent much of this loss by keeping the STP and dispenser circuits powered through short outages, with minimal interruption to dispensing when the installation is properly designed.
Keep Your Forecourt Selling Through Every Outage
Mercury Direct sells filling-station-grade inverter systems as complete turnkey SKUs from ₦5,318,000: inverter, batteries, cables, and professional installation in one price. Three options fit Nigerian forecourts: the 11kVA + 8×300W Solar + 4×200Ah GEL bundle at ₦5,318,000, the 11kVA + 12kWh Lithium bundle at ₦5,547,000 (recommended, 5-year battery warranty), or the 11kVA + 15kWh Lithium + 20×450W Solar bundle at ₦9,538,000. All include same-day Lagos delivery or nationwide 48-hour delivery. Send us your tank count, STP horsepower, number of dispensers and nozzles, operating hours, and a photo of your STP control box or pump nameplate, and we will recommend the right complete system for your forecourt. Call 07037451701 or message us on WhatsApp.
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