Investigation of the Seasonal Variations in the Solar Radiation Balance and Other Solar Energy Parameters in Some Cities in Nigeria

Isikwue B C,Utah E U,Akiishi M

doi:10.5539/esr.v3n2p59

Abstract

An investigation of the variations of the Solar Radiation Balance, SRB, and other solar energy parameters in some cities in Nigeria has been carried out in this work. The data used for the study were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) Abuja, (1990-2010). The results show that the maximum range of atmospheric albedo, ALB, between 56-64% was obtained in the rainy season; with the minimum range of about 33 - 39% occurring in the dry season. Direct relationship existed between the SRB and other investigated solar radiation parameters, each of which in turn varied indirectly with the ALB. Relatively high annual values in SRB in Port Harcourt and Makurdi, implies that these locations are suitable for solar energy applications including farming. And devices using solar energy applications in these areas could function efficiently during the dry season.

Highlights

The Sun provides the principal energy that drives the climate system
The results show that the maximum range of atmospheric albedo, ALB, between 56-64% was obtained in the rainy season; with the minimum range of about 33 - 39% occurring in the dry season
We look at seasonal variations of solar energy radiation balance in Port Harcourt, Makurdi and Kano in www.ccsenet.org/esr

Summary

Introduction

Climatic variability is partly due to changes in solar radiation distribution, which in turn is caused by some natural and anthropological phenomena. The solar energy is emitted in all directions, with only a small fraction being in the direction of the Earth, because part of this radiation is scattered and reflected back to space mainly from clouds, air molecules and other atmospheric constituents. The remaining energy, which is absorbed heats up the atmosphere and gets re-emitted as terrestrial radiation. The difference between the absorbed solar radiation and the emitted radiation from the Earth’s surface is known as the solar radiation balance, SRB (Liou, 1980). A positive solar radiation balance implies more incoming solar radiation, which warms the Earth system, while negative solar radiation balance implies more emission of terrestrial radiation, which causes cooling in the Earth system (Chacko et al, 1998). Knowledge of the SRB of the Earth’s atmosphere improves the understanding of the climate (Ezenekwe et al, 2013)

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