Estimation of Solar Radiation in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Knowledge of global solar radiation is of fundamental importance for all solar energy conversion systems. In this work is presented the Sayigh equation for estimating the global solar radiation, analyzing data from 1972 to 2004 in the Southeastern Nigeria using Umudike (lat. 5.29^oN, long. 7.33^oE) as a case study. The levels of the global solar radiation within the region was noted to range from 1.99 kWh to 6.75 kWh, showing that the method was in agreement with those of earlier authors in this area of research, indicating that the method could be used for reproducing signatures of global solar radiation in the region when actual measurements are not available. The results highlight the potential of using photovoltaic systems as viable energy option within the region.

Keywords: Estimate, Photovoltaic systems, Sayigh, Solar Radiation, Southeastern Nigeria

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(3): 223-228, 2009