Abstract

Evaluation of the global solar energy potential at Uturu, latitude 0.5.33°N and 06.03°N was carried out in this work. The temperature data were obtained from 1^st- 30^th November, 2007 using the maximum and minimum thermometers placed in the Stevenson screen at 1.5 m above ground level. The Hargreaves equation was used to evaluate the solar energy potential at Uturu. The mean solar power potential obtained for the period over Uturu was 2.45 ± 0.29 KWh m^-2 per day. A comparison of the mean global solar potential obtained at Uturu and that reported by Offiong (2003) showed that the insolation potential obtained at Uturu was 44.1% less. This difference may be attributed to the hilly nature of Uturu, coupled with the fact that the climate at Uturu varies significantly with the seasons of the year.

Key words: Hargreaves equation, insolation, solar energy potential.