Research Paper: Quaterly Assessment of Irradiance Variation on Power Output and Storable Excess Power of Solar Panels

Familusi, T.O... [et.all];

This research work verified the input solar irradiance and average power output per day of a 10W polycrystalline silicon solar panel (PsSp) and a 10W gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar panel, both of dimension 350x290x25mm3, fill-factor 0.7 in the four different quarters of the year 2013. The average power output in KWh/m2 per day in four quarters of the year were compared
to determine which quarter of the year do we have excess solar power output that can be stored for future use at the period of low solar irradiance in the experimented area.. The research was carried out at Ilesa city located at coordinates 7037′0″N 4043′00E / 7.616670N4.716670E, in Osun State of Nigeria. The input irradiance and power output of the two panels were
measured and the average power available for storage beside the power demand of the consumers in the experimented area of Ilesa was quarterly determined. The research results show that each quarter is capable of taking care of the energy demand of power consumers in the experimented area of Ilesa with some excess for storage. The average power available for storage
(APAS) is highest during 2nd quarter with approximate value of (1.094+ K2-3x) KWh/m2/day, followed by the value obtained for 1st quarter, (0.954+K1-3x) KWh/m2/day. In 3rd quarter, APAS value is (0.646+K3-3x) KWh/m2/day and the value for 4th quarter is (0.913+k4-3x)KWh/m2/day. The research results suggest
that effort be made to provide enough and good energy storage facilities (batteries and capacitors) during each quarter to meet up with the excess solar energy that will be available for future use.