IRRADIANCE AND SIZING FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE OF A PV SYSTEM

The dearth of reliable and stable electricity in remote and underserved areas in Nigeria is a major socio-economic developments concern. Prospective electricity consumers rely on fossil fuel-driven generators which impact negatively on human health and the environment and has a huge high maintenance and running cost. This study explored the design and sizing factors for each of the system components to prevent over sizing and under sizing and to ensure adequate, reliable, and cost-effective PV system design. The system analysis was done using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources HOMER and MATLAB Simulink based on site specific solar parameters of irradiance, temperature. Optimization configuration results show that utilization of 12,570KWh electricity per annum solar PV system has N95.14/KWh cost of energy COE and zero emission. Also, it avoids release of 5,518Kg of carbon-dioxide CO2 emission per year and cost reduction of N130/KWh when compared with conventional grid power. Therefore, PV system deployment provides reliable, stable, environmentally sustainable alternative energy for electricity consumers in the sub-Saharan African countries.