Estimation of global solar radiation, sunshine hour distribution and clearness index in Enugu, Nigeria

N.O Adeniji,J.A Akinpelu,J.O Adeniji,S.O Adeola

doi:10.4314/jasem.v23i2.22

N.O Adeniji, J.A Akinpelu + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v23i2.22

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Abstract

The concept of solar energy and its applications in this present day world would come to be one of the solutions to our present Nigerian problem of instability and epileptic power supply. In the study, the baseline data for mean monthly sunshine hours ( S ) and global solar radiation ( H ) for Enugu (6.7 0 N, 7.6 0 E) were obtained from the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET), Oshodi Lagos Nigeria and spanned 1996 to 2010. The data for global solar radiation were measured with a Gunn-Bellani radiometer. The average sunshine hour for the period of study was estimated to be 5.67 hours; the Angstrom constants a and b of Angstrom-type correlation used in estimating monthly average global solar radiation was estimated to be 0.27 and 0.58 respectively; a linear regression correlation model was developed for Enugu. The result of global solar radiation was found to be 14.44 MJm -2 day -1 thereafter subjected to statistical tests [ MBE , RMSE , MPE ] and proved to be good estimates with previous literatures reviewed. The value of clearness index ( K T ) was estimated to range from 0.43 to 0.61 showing Enugu as so a partly clear sky city. Keywords: Global solar radiation, Sunshine hour distribution, Clearness Index Enugu

Highlights

Solar Energy is one of the foremost and ancient sources of underutilized energy
The estimation of the clear sky irradiance components of solar radiation is very important in many solar energy applications, as well as in routine engineering practice (Islahi, et al, 2015)
The sunshine hour distribution in Enugu over the years under this study proves that Enugu has solar energy application potentials

Summary

Introduction

Solar Energy is one of the foremost and ancient sources of underutilized energy. It forms basis for the fundamental element of most fossil and renewable energies (Innocent, et al, 2015). It has been established that sunshine duration has direct correlation with global solar radiation (Okonkwo, 2014). This study seeks to estimate the global solar radiation and give a critical look at the sunshine hour distribution in Enugu for a period of 15 calendar years.

Results

Conclusion