Evaluating the solar resource potential on different tracking surfaces in Nigeria

Chiemeka Onyeka Okoye, Arian Bahrami and Ugur Atikol

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, vol. 81, issue P1, 1569-1581

Abstract: In this study, the available solar potential of some selected locations in Nigeria on an inclined, single-axis (considering 6 tracking orientations) and dual-axis tracking surfaces are assessed using hourly radiation data. More accurate and widely validated Perez anisotropic and Koronakis isotropic models are adopted in the estimation of the diffuse component of the radiation on an inclined surface before integrating trackers. The method utilized in the simulation are compared and verified by the result from System Advisor Model (SAM) before carrying out the detail resource assessment. The annual solar resource potential for the locations on a fixed surface inclined at an optimal angle ranges from 1621 to 2279kWhm−2, with the use of solar trackers; the yield would vary from 1664 to 2983kWhm−2. This amount of energy, if fully harnessed, would not only help in narrowing the gap between energy demand and supply but also would make a significant contribution in enriching the energy generation mix of the country. The increase in the annual energy yield of the dual-axis tracker compared to the other trackers and fixed tilted at optimal angle orientations ranged from 1.86% to 31.52%. Overall, the study is expected to provide a practical guide to aid designers and installers in the selection and implementation of suitable solar trackers in the country.

Keywords: Solar radiation; Optimum tilt angle; Tracking system; Nigeria; Performance ranking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032117308833
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:rensus:v:81:y:2018:i:p1:p:1569-1581

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 600126/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.235

Access Statistics for this article

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews is currently edited by L. Kazmerski

More articles in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().