Abstract
This central idea of this research is to investigate how voltage, current, power output and efficiency of polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules installed in a Guinea Savanna and Mangrove Swamp is affected by temperature, relative humidity and irradiance. The study locations are Calabar (mangrove swamp) and Ogoja (guinea savanna), in Cross River State, Nigeria. Two polycrystalline PV modules of exact specification mounted on a platform one-metre-high above the ground were used. A digital solar power meter (SM206) and a digital solar flux meter (MS 6616) was used to monitor and measure solar power and solar flux reaching the PV modules. A digital hygrometer and thermometer (KT-908) were used to monitor and measure the relative humidity and ambient temperature level at the height of installation and a digital multimeter (M880C+) accompanied with a temperature sensor was used to monitor voltage, current and panel temperature values from the modules. Analysis of the collected data reveals that the efficiency of the modules were not constant throughout the day. However, a higher voltage production and efficiency level was obtained for the PV module installed in Ogoja than that installed in Calabar under their respective levels of relative humidity, temperature and irradiance.
Highlights
The supply of grid electricity in Nigeria is epileptic [1] and this is not unconnected to the dwindling Nigerian economy
This central idea of this research is to investigate how voltage, current, power output and efficiency of polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules installed in a Guinea Savanna and Mangrove Swamp is affected by temperature, relative humidity and irradiance
A higher voltage production and efficiency level was obtained for the PV module installed in Ogoja than that installed in Calabar under their respective levels of relative humidity, temperature and irradiance
Summary
The supply of grid electricity in Nigeria is epileptic [1] and this is not unconnected to the dwindling Nigerian economy. The alternative energy source, the generator, makes use of fossil fuel which is costly and whose by-product is harzadous to the environment. Solar energy accessibility is influenced by meteorological conditions which regularly vary with time, season and location. Solar radiation striking a target or passing through a transmitting medium is mostly reflected and assimilated, while the rest is transmitted [10]. It is reduced and weakened as it navigates the layers of the atmosphere, keeping a large segment of it from arriving at the surface of the earth. Inside the Earth’s atmosphere, scattering is the dominant process that results in attenuation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
