Environmental Effect Of Solar Energy Performance In The Niger Delta Region

ABSTRACT

This study presents the effect of temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine on solar energy in Ozoro. The study analyses a direct relationship between solar radiation and temperature, and an inverse relationship with rainfall and relative humidity and also sunshine.

This study scrutinizes the reliability and validity of existing analyses that focus on the impact of various environmental factors on a photovoltaic (PV) system’s performance. For the first time, four environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine) affecting system performance are investigated, simultaneously, in one study. The results obtained from this investigation demonstrate that the temperature, relative humidity, rainfall has a significant effect on PV current and voltage, and consequently, the harvested PV energy. Whilst, the increase in sunlight intensity increases the efficiency of the solar panel. A maximum intensity of sunlight (106.25 klux) was reached at 12:00 PM. However, beyond 12:00 PM the intensity showed a non-monotonic change behavior. This was ascribed to the change of sun position, its orientation and the direction at which the surface of the panel is illuminated. Results showed that the increase of sunlight intensity has made I_sc to increase, while that of the V_oc remains relatively unchanged. The reason why I_sc is more affected by the sunlight intensity was understood from the fact that charge carriers acquire enough kinetic energy to move towards their corresponding electrodes before they relapse or recombine together, while as V_oc is mostly correlated to the energy gap

The results of this work could be used in the design and construction of solar energy technologies to provide energy. Moreover, the results could also provide input for climate risk information, local and national planning and decision-making for sustainable development in the areas of

agriculture, aviation, health, and weather forecasting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION
• BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
• SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
• PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• REVIEW OF THE STUDY
• REVIEW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
• NEED FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
• HISTORITICAL BACKGROUND OF PHOTOVOTAIC CELL
• THEORETICAL REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL
• REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL EFFICIENCY
• REVIEW OF SOLAR CELL MATERIALS

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

• STUDY AREA
• MATERIALS
• METHOD

CHAPTER FOUR

• RESULT ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                               INTRODUCTION

1.1                                  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Energy is the motivating force behind the sustained technological development of any nation. Solar energy is the most promising renewable power source because of its free usage, clean, eco-friendly and silent operation when it is utilized to generate electricity by means of solar cell (photovoltaic) panels. Solar energy is now considered to be the most effective and economical of the alternative energy source [Sheer, 2002]. The knowledge of the patterns of solar radiation is very vital in our contemporary world since the use of solar energy has become an integral part of energy source. Different researchers have explored the area of the variability of solar radiation with weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine etc. and also its variation with latitudes. Yazdani, et al. [2014] in their investigation of effect of weather conditions on solar radiation in Brunei Darusaalam found that solar radiation is directly proportional to atmospheric temperature while it is inversely proportional to relative humidity. Also, Trabea and Mosalam [2010] confirmed that there is correlation of global solar radiation with weather conditions. Low relative humidity leads to increase in solar flux, thus enhancing output current and improving efficiency of solar panel in Ozoro of Niger Delta (Omubo-Pepple et al, 2013).

In our research we investigated the influence of weather conditions of temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and sunshine on the amount of solar energy received in the study area Ozoro. Precise knowledge of the global solar radiation at a location of study is required for the design and estimation of the performance of any solar energy system [Ibeh et al, 2012]. Therefore the result of this work can be used in the design and construction of solar energy for the Ozoro community at large. Moreover, the results possibly can also offer input for climate risk information for local and national planning and decision-making for sustainable development in the areas of agriculture, aviation, health, weather forecasting [NDES, 2019].

1.2                                      PROBLEM STATEMENT

Since the existence of man on earth, man has greatly relied on the use of fossil fuel for electricity and power generation. On a world scale, environmental problems including global warming due to extensive use of fossil fuels for electricity production and combustion engines have become increasingly serious in recent years. One of the viable solutions to tackling these environmental problems is by turning our attention to the use of renewable sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuel for electricity and power generation. Solar energy which is clean, noiseless and pollution free is considered one of the most important sources among the renewable sources of energy.

Intensive efforts are being made to reduce the cost of photovoltaic cell production, improve efficiency an narrow the gap between photovoltaic and conventional power generation methods such as steam and gas turbine power generators. In order to decrease the cost of PV array production, different efforts have been made towards improving the efficiency of the system and collecting more energy per unit surface area, such effort is by considering environmental factors that has great impact on the performance of  photovoltaic cell. This study was carried out to discuss those environmental factors.

1.3                        AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the study is to investigate the effect of environmental factors such as Sunlight, humidity, temperature, rainfall on photovoltaics installed at Ozoro. The objectives are:

1. To evaluate the performance of an installed solar panel
2. To improve the efficiency of a solar energy

• To test the output performance of a solar panel on different environmental factors.

1.4                                       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study scrutinizes the reliability and validity of existing analyses that focus on the impact of various environmental factors on a photovoltaic (PV) system’s performance. For the first time, four environmental factors (Sunlight, humidity, temperature, rainfall ) affecting system performance are investigated.

1.5                               SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will expose the student involved to those environmental factors that brings down the utilization of solar energy. To the producer of solar panel, this study will help them to consider these factors when building solar panel thereby giving them the idea of adding reserve power to their design.

1.6                                             PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work,   chapter two presents the literature review of the study,  chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.