Assessment of the performance of Photovoltaic system in high altitude region of Jos, Nigeria

Authors

  • John Mkohol Uzer Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
  • George G. Nyam Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Abuja, FCT Abuja, Nigeria
  • Jangfa T. Zhimwang Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
  • Jonathan Nakala Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
  • Kuma J. Ayua Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
  • Mustapha Gwani Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
  • Medina Umar Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Abuja, FCT Abuja, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38208/jret.v1.792

Keywords:

Photovoltaic, Temperature, Output Power, Output Voltage, Standard test condition (STC)

Abstract

This study examined two years of temperature, humidity, and irradiance data collected at intervals of fiv minutes for the city of Jos, Nigeria to determine the relationship between temperatures Photovoltaic system voltage, and power output. Descriptive statistical tools were used to investigate the relationship between temperature, power output, and voltage. There is a wider range of responses to temperature change in the output power. The findings showed that the power output values range from 227.82 kWh to 950.10 kWh, and Voltage values range from 14.41 V to 16.12 V. Additionally, the average monthly temperature ranged from 20.42 ? to 25.76 ?. The result shows a positive correlation between temperature below standard test condition (STC = 25 oC), and high output power, while a high temperature above STC negatively affects the output power. Notably, Jos has a higher power output and voltage while maintaining the lowest average temperature compared to other locations within the region. The study concludes that power output and voltage are strongly and inversely related to temperature, refuting the notion that operating solar panels above STC  would improve performance.

Published

2024-09-28