Performance evaluation of polycrystalline photovoltaic modules in a Guinea Savanna and Mangrove swamp

Nsed Ayip Akonjom 1, John Iyang Umuji 2 and Ukoette Jeremiah Ekah 1, *

1 Department of Physics, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.
2 Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2021, 04(01), 011–021.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjaets.2021.4.1.0081
Publication history: 
Received on 20 October 2021; revised on 24 November 2021; accepted on 26 November 2021
 
Abstract: 
This central idea of this research is to investigate how voltage, current, power output and efficiency of polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) modules installed in a Guinea Savanna and Mangrove Swamp is affected by temperature, relative humidity and irradiance. The study locations are Calabar (mangrove swamp) and Ogoja (guinea savanna), in Cross River State, Nigeria. Two polycrystalline PV modules of exact specification mounted on a platform one-metre-high above the ground were used. A digital solar power meter (SM206) and a digital solar flux meter (MS 6616) was used to monitor and measure solar power and solar flux reaching the PV modules. A digital hygrometer and thermometer (KT-908) were used to monitor and measure the relative humidity and ambient temperature level at the height of installation and a digital multimeter (M880C+) accompanied with a temperature sensor was used to monitor voltage, current and panel temperature values from the modules. Analysis of the collected data reveals that the efficiency of the modules were not constant throughout the day. However, a higher voltage production and efficiency level was obtained for the PV module installed in Ogoja than that installed in Calabar under their respective levels of relative humidity, temperature and irradiance.
 
Keywords: 
Current; Voltage; Efficiency; Power Output; Photovoltaic
 
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