DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY MAP FOR NIGERIA FROM NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) DATA

Abstract

The power supply situation in Nigeria is presently precarious, and while other countries are researching in alternative forms of energy, we must not be left behind. It has been established that economic growth is directly proportional to the growth in energy use. How we harness our energy sources indicates how serious we want the economy to grow. The study identifies that one of the major challenges of incorporating solar energy technologies across the country is the non-availability of solar resource data for various locations across the country. To address this challenge, the research study has developed solar irradiance map for Nigeria. The solar resources map is developed using data provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The data covers the period of 25 years (1994-2018). The average daily global solar irradiance for various longitude-latitude nodes are estimated after analyzing the data. The values were then fitted on the Nigerian map. With these details available, it is then possible to estimate the average daily global solar irradiance for any location provided the longitude and latitude for the location is known. Irradiance values for 300 locations have been calculated from details provided by the map. Experimental values of irradiance for various locations have been compared with values extracted from the Solar Irradiance Map. These values show low deviations (<6.8%) from values on the map. This has established that the map is suitable for estimating irradiance values for any location in Nigeria. The map for solar irradiance will provided satisfactory information necessary for solar energy research, design and deployment of solar energy supply technologies. Results from this study has ensured that Irradiance values for various locations in Nigeria can quickly be known. This will fast-track solar energy related research and development. The procedure followed can be used to develop solar irradiance maps for other countries.