A STUDY OF SOLAR RADIATION, STORAGE AND APPLICATIONS IN NIGERIA

The paper investigates the availability of solar energy in Auchi, a town in Nigeria located between longitude 6 degrees 15' East of the GM line and latitude 7 degrees 02' North of the Equator using photovoltaic solar cells and arrays of thermal solar collectors. The study proved that energy in excess of 64,202W/m(2) is available for use. The study further shows that solar energy could be stored in form of heat energy for over 12 hours using a bed of pebbles while temperature as high as 126 degrees C were recorded with thermal collectors without concentration. Also, 64ml of steam was condensed from a 180mm x 130mm solar collector steam generator.