Abstract
Over the years, there has been increasing interest in exploitation of renewable energy source (RES) as a result of fast depletion of fossil fuel based conventional power generation with attendant negative environmental impact. However, renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass etc are not always available because of their fluctuating nature. In view of this, it has become imperative to have an efficient energy storage system (ESS) for sustained energy availability. Batteries storage often suffers early failure due to irregular charge and discharge cycle which could eventually shorten its life span. Therefore, this research focuses on investigation of the influence of meteorological parameters on battery storage in solar PV system as well as evaluating the influence of these factors on the performance characteristics of solar PV storage system. The work examines particularly the effect of varying solar temperature and irradiance on the system output charging current and overall efficiency. A modified mathematical model of a solar PV was developed to show the relationship between meteorological parameters (irradiance and temperature), and PV output short circuit current. Analysis of meteorological data obtained for determination of state of charge (SOC) of battery storage based on the six geographical areas in Nigeria revealed that, in Bornu state (North-east) the battery attained 100% (hundred percent) state of charge in1Hr (one hour), while in Plateau state (north-central), the battery attained 60% (sixty percent) state of charge in 8hrs (eight hours), being the least in terms of charging rate. In Kaduna (North-west) region, the battery attained 88% state of charge in one hour and 96% SOC after duration of eight hours. This is quite different from Lagos (Southwest), where the battery SOC in one hour was 38% and 78% SOC in eight hours. This phenomenon therefore, revealed that solar PV system implementation should be site specific and it also account for the life span of the storage and the system efficiency.
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