ESTIMATION OF GRID CONNECTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC
POTENTIAL OF MUBI
1Daniel A. Aremu and 2*Ibrahim, U.H.
1&2Department of Mechanical Engineering
Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
E-mail:
heldabuk@yahoo.com
Abstract: The epileptic and constantly interrupted power supply in Nigeria is an indication that all is not well with the power sector. The workability of the current reform in the power sector largely depends on how well the solar photovoltaic technology is integrated into the power sector which is in consonance with global energy transition. Therefore, the need to support the existing unreliable power sector with a sustainable source of power is paramount. This paper is therefore an attempt to use the abundant sunshine Nigeria is blessed with to estimate the grid connected solar photovoltaic potential of Mubi based on the incident solar radiation on 100 m2 area. The study reveals that a solar photovoltaic plant capacity of 89kW can be accommodated on 100 m2 chosen area. The output voltage and current of this solar photovoltaic structure are 912 volts dc and 65 A dc. These outputs can be fed into the grid via 3-phase inverter and 3-phase transformer. The integration of the grid connected solar photovoltaic system into the national grid will not only enhance the accessibility, reliability and sustainability of power supply but, will ensure the accomplishment of the government transformation agenda on power whose target is to achieve a generation capacity of 10,000MW by 2020.