Nwokocha Cecily O
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Title: Temperature range over Nigeria by the end of 21st century: prospects for photovoltaic potentials from CMIP5 and CORDEX perspectives
Biography
Biography: Nwokocha Cecily O
Abstract
The projections of the horizontal solar radiation (Gh) derived from the empirical method based on the temperature range across Nigeria, for photovoltaic (PV) resource potential by the end of 21st century, has been investigated. Observational monthly maximum and minimum temperature data from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) has been validated by comparison with the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) in the 3 representative sites of Gh Zones I, II and III respectively whereas the CRU estimated monthly and annual mean Gh has been validated by comparison with the European Commission - Joint Research Centre - Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) data across the country. Selected Coupled Model Intercomparison Project’s 5th phase (CMIP5) and Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX)-Africa models performances in representing the estimated Gh has been examined. The models’ outputs project varying Gh outlooks for each location whereas the identified epochs in the estimated annual mean Gh show more locations having potential significant trends from 2039 to 2098 than from 2006 to 2038 in both the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 outputs respectively. The results are vital tools in PV resources planning, siting and management across the country.