SOLAR RADIATION AND SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION POTENTIALS IN SELECTED CITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to determine the potential of solar power in Nigeria, by estimating solar radiations on both horizontal and tilted surfaces using the diffuse component of the global solar radiation in the Country. Monthly solar radiation data of Enugu, Ibadan, Minna, Sokoto and Yola from 1981 to 1990 were collected from Nigeria Meteorological Agency. The required astronomical parameters were computed using the appropriate equations. The Clearness and Cloudiness indexes were computed and used to determine the diffuse radiation using appropriate relations in the literature. Solar radiations on tilted surfaces were estimated using the diffuse components of the global solar radiation derived from cloudiness and clearness index. The calculated radiations on tilted surfaces with the measured radiations on horizontal surfaces were used to determine the electricity generation potential of Photovoltaics in all the cities considered. It has been established by this thesis that depending on the location (region within Nigeria), the power rating of the solar panel, period of the year and tilt angle of the solar panel, between 2 and 16kW of electricity could be generated from solar radiation using solar panel on a square meter surface. Radiations received on horizontal surfaces were higher than those received on tilted surfaces that are less than or equal to the latitude of the stations. The higher the tilt angle of the solar panel the higher the solar radiation received, hence the higher the quantity of electricity generated. Among all the stations, the highest quantity of electricity could be generated at Sokoto. The value of direct solar radiation (which is required by Photovoltaics) received on both horizontal and tilted surfaces at the stations depends on the clearness and cloudiness of the sky. In all the stations considered the percentage of clear sky conditions ranges between 0 (zero) and 56 (fifty six), while the percentage of cloudy sky conditions ranges between 44 and 100. Sokoto has the highest percentage of clear sky conditions and Minna was without any clear sky conditions throughout.