EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIALS OF LARGE SCALE PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The potentials of large scale solar photovoltaic power generation in Sokoto State, North-Western Nigeria and Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria were evaluated through the application of solar PV Sys computer software. Daily average solar radiation in both locations and average relative humidity from 2001 to 2010 was obtained from Nigerian Metrological Weather Forecast Centre, Abuja. The data together with recorded Minimum/Maximum Temperatures were applied as simulation input parameters to activate the computer program. Results obtained were used to estimate the total energy production capacity of a 200kW and 500kW photovoltaic power plant in Sokoto, as compared to the same capacity of power plant located in Port Harcourt. It was observed that the total energy production capacity of a 200kW PV power plant in Sokoto state is 532MWhr/yr, while the same power plant in Port Harcourt could only produce 223MWhr/yr. The economic analysis also indicates that the cost of a 200kW PV power plant in Rivers state is higher than the same power plant located in Sokoto State, North-Western Nigeria. Furthermore, economic analysis of large scale solar photovoltaic power generation was made and a model of 4 x 250kW mini-grid systems was developed