Title: Assessment of solar and wind power resources in Osogbo (SW Nigeria - 7°47"N, 4°29"E) for viability of hybrid power applications

Authors: Clement Wole Adegoke; Gbadebo Ismaila Olatona

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Osun State University, P.M.B. 4494, Osogbo, Nigeria ' Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Osun State University P.M.B. 4494, Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract: The solar-radiation over Osogbo (7°47"N, 4°29"E) was estimated from sunshine-hours to determine the available solar energy for deployment of solar photovoltaic technology applications. The computed mean-monthly daily solar-radiation ranges from 10.30 MJm⁻²day⁻¹ (August) to 18.10 MJm⁻²day⁻¹ (February). Analysis of daily wind speeds shows an annual-mean wind speed of 3.5 m/s at 18 m height with peak values of about 4.9 m/s occurring correspondingly at the peak of the rainy season. This study shows that wind power can compliment photovoltaic applications. Batteries can be used to overcome the well-known variability of wind power. In a pilot scheme, a wind turbine with low cut-in speed of 3 m/s was installed at 18 m height to compliment a 400 Wp solar module and a 4.8 KW-hrs battery-bank/inverter system, to form a robust hybrid alternative power system. The study establishes that wind resources of wind-power class-2 and above can compliment small-scale photovoltaic systems to overcome lower performance challenges during periods of heavy cloud-cover.

Keywords: cloud cover; renewable energy; hybrid energy systems; PV system; solar radiation; wind resource assessment; renewable energy technology; photovoltaics; solar energy; solar power; wind energy; wind power; Nigeria; wind speed; wind turbines.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRET.2015.072106

International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2015 Vol.6 No.4, pp.353 - 363

Accepted: 20 Jan 2015
Published online: 30 Sep 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article