Correlation of photovoltaic geographical information system data with other solar radiation estimates in the Niger delta area of Nigeria

The solar radiation that penetrates the atmosphere to reach the earth’s surface can be used in a variety of the fields such as solar engineering, building design, agriculture and hydrology. It is therefore important to investigate solar radiation, especially in equatorial zones like Nigeria where solar-energy potential is high and holds a high promise because of its sustainability. In this study, a 12-month record of global solar radiation (GSR) data in Niger Delta region of Nigeria (4.75 - 7.25 N lat. and Long. 5.20 - 8.32 E) made up of 19 years average of 1985-2004 were obtained from Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS). A solar radiation model and interpolation technique and data from NASA/METRONORM (22 years average of 1983-2005) were compared with Hargreaves estimates of Global Solar Radiation using temperature difference data obtained from 1961-1990 from the International Water Management Institute site (http://dw.iwmi.org/IDIS_DP/clickandplot.aspx). Correlation of the PVGIS with other solar radiation estimates, gave positive agreement. The implication of the high potential solar radiation in the Niger Delta region for solar electricity generation was stressed from the viewpoint of making a case for renewable energy investment in the region.Keywords: Solar energy, global solar radiation, Photovoltaic GIS, Niger DeltaInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(2): 173-180, 201

Evapotranspriation levels at Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

No Abstract.International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 4 (3) 2008: pp. 168-17

Design and construction of a low cost 50-watt capacity uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

This paper describes the design and construction of a stand-by mode 50-Watt Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) as an alternative power supply for electrical and electronic appliances from local materials. The development of this UPS system (a system consisting of battery source, inverter, and switching unit) is to provide a clean, conditional sinusoidal wave of power. In this configuration, the back up power is supplied from an inverter, which remains in a stand-by (off) state until the input alternating current (AC) power fails. When the input (AC) power is adequate, power is sent through an electronic transfer switch, and then to the load. International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(2) 2005: 96-10

Measurement of aerosol concentration variation by opto-electronic method

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (2) 2007: pp. 279-28

Measurement of air aerosol size during the 2001/2002 harmattan season at Uturu, Nigeria.

The measurement of air aerosol size during the 2001/2002 harmattan season at Uturu, Nigeria is of interest. Aerosol size distributions were measured making use of a zeiss micrometer which is inserted on the diaphragm inside the eyepiece of Olympus binocular microscope. Dust samples collected by direct deposition within the months of October 2001 to February 2002 on a Whatman filter paper made of cellulose were placed on a glass slide and viewed under a microscope. The mean value of the measured aerosol diameter and the standard deviation is 2.74 ± 1.7&#956m. The mean of the calculated surface area distribution of the aerosols is 38.33 ± 9.3 square &#956m. JONAMP Vol. 11 2007: pp. 635-64

Determination of aerosol metal composition and concentration during the 2001/2002 Harmattan season at Uturu, Nigeria

No Abstract.Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 13 (3) 2007: pp.449-45

Estimation of Solar Radiation in South Eastern Nigeria

Knowledge of global solar radiation is of fundamental importance for all solar energy conversion systems. In this work is presented the Sayigh equation for estimating the global solar radiation, analyzing data from 1972 to 2004 in the Southeastern Nigeria using Umudike (lat. 5.29oN, long. 7.33oE) as a case study. The levels of the global solar radiation within the region was noted to range from 1.99 kWh to 6.75 kWh, showing that the method was in agreement with those of earlier authors in this area of research, indicating that the method could be used for reproducing signatures of global solar radiation in the region when actual measurements are not available. The results highlight the potential of using photovoltaic systems as viable energy option within the region. Keywords: Estimate, Photovoltaic systems, Sayigh, Solar Radiation, Southeastern Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 5(3): 223-228, 200

Mean air surface temperature anomalies in the humid south – south zone of Nigeria

The concept of regional climate is very important in understanding global climate change. Changes in surface air temperature are primary measures of global climate change. In this work, the analyses of the mean air surface temperature dynamics from 1901 to 2000 in six cities located in the South- South humid zone of Nigeria, which comprised four ecological zones namely; coastal barrier island, mangrove swamp forest, fresh water swamps and lowland rainforest were presented. The analyses showed that at climatological scale of 33 years, that there were some slightly elevated temperatures, which remained nearly stable over the entire period of study, grouped into three climatological scales. The results showed that an anomaly of 4.5oC was recorded in 1932, 1935 and 1983 in the first, second and third climatological scales respectively. Also observed in 1936 and 1942 were the mean air surface temperature that recorded 4.5oC respectively as maximum on its warming trend, whereas on its cooling trend a minimum of -2.5oC in the first and second climatological scale and -1.5oC in the third climatological scale were observed. Keywords: Temperature, climate change, climatological scale, humid zone, Nigeria International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(4): 428 - 431, 201

Effect of Cow Dung Based Biogas Energy on the Performance of Starter Broiler Chicks

An experiment was conducted at the Poultry Unit of Imo State University Teaching and Research Farm to evaluate the effect of different sources of farm energy (Heat) on the performance of starter broiler chicks. The 28-day experiment involved ninety day old Anak broiler chicks shared into three treatments (T1, T2, T3) and assigned to Biogas energy (BE), charcoal energy (CE) and kerosene energy (KE) respectively. The experiment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Commercial broiler starter feed and potable water were supplied to the birds ad libitum, while standard management practices such as cleanliness of the pens, routine vaccination and medication were adopted. Performance parameters measured initial weight, final weight, and feed intake from which weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost benefit analysis were calculated. Results show significant difference (

Solar electricity potentials and optimal angles for mounting solar panels in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria

The need for harnessing solar energy using solar panels mounted at optimal inclination angles in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria is  presented. The optimal angle for mounting solar panels as presented by Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS) ranges from 11º to 14º in the Southern zone and 13º to 16º in the Northern zone. The  maximum and minimum solar irradiation at the optimal angle of inclining the solar panels is as follows; South-South zone has a maximum value of 7204 Wh in November at Uyo while Calabar recorded a value of 2857 Wh in August. South-West zone has its value of 6739 Wh in August at Akure while Ibadan has its value of 3186Wh in November. South-East has its value 6353Wh in January at Awka while in September at Owerri; its value is 3306Wh.The North-Eastern zone has its value of 7313 Wh in November at Bauchi while in Jalingo it is 4162Wh in August. The North Central has its value of 7457 Wh in November while in August at Minna, it is 3235 Wh. The North West has its value of 6893 Wh in November at Kaduna while in August at Bernin Kebbi it is 4168 Wh.Key Words: Optimal Angles, Photovoltaic, Solar Energy, PVGIS, Elevatio