ESTIMATION OF THE AVERAGE DAILY SOLAR INSOLATION FOR ABEOKUTA

Abstract

Quest for cheap, clean and renewable energy has turned people's interest to solar energy. This wonderful gift of nature is becoming very attractive to the society because of its recently discovered importance to man. Global energy crisis being experienced at the moment is even making it too inviting. Rural populace even needs it more than ever in order to meet its energy demands. Little wonder more attention is focused on solar based research. The intensity of solar energy can not be obtained directly due to lack of adequate equipment. In this work solar intensity for Abeokuta has been computed using Angstrom - Page model. Curves of computed extraterrestrial radiation and solar insolation on a flat surface for the location have also been presented. The values obtained will aid in the preliminary design of solar installations in Abeokuta where solar radiation data are scarce. In this work the optimum solar insolation on a flat surface for Abeokuta is found to be 4.5kwh / m2/ day.