American Journal of Modern Physics

2022; 11(6): 95-100

http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajmp
doi: 10.11648/j.ajmp.20221106.12
ISSN: 2326-8867 (Print); ISSN: 2326-8891 (Online)

Geospatial Analysis of Solar Energy Potentials in Niger

State, Nigeria
Bashir Musa Adavuruku1, *, Ezenwora Joel Aghaegbunam2, Igwe Kingsley Chidozie2,
Moses Abiodun Stephen2
1
National Space Research and Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria
2
Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

Email address:
*
Corresponding author

To cite this article:

Bashir Musa Adavuruku, Ezenwora Joel Aghaegbunam, Igwe Kingsley Chidozie, Moses Abiodun Stephen. Geospatial Analysis of Solar
Energy Potentials in Niger State, Nigeria. American Journal of Modern Physics. Vol. 11, No. 6, 2022, pp. 95-100.
doi: 10.11648/j.ajmp.20221106.12

Received: December 8, 2022; Accepted: December 26, 2022; Published: January 10, 2023

Abstract: Solar energy has been identified as the largest renewable resource on earth, and it is more evenly distributed in
Sunbelt locations than wind or biomass use. In this paper, geospatial methods were used to examine solar energy potentials in
Niger State Northcentral Nigeria. Observed insolation data from Nigeria meteorological station was used over the study period
1988–2018. A Digital Elevation Map (DEM) and solar radiation of the area were used as input parameters. Slope and slope
aspect were calculated using the DEM. Slope, slope aspect, and solar radiations of the study area were reclassified and weighted
using a Hierarchical Analytical Process (AHP). The variability analysis was done using a standardized variable index. It was
observed that the months of February, March, and April were the highest with average solar radiation of 6kWh/m2/day, while
July and August, on average, had the lowest solar radiation of 4.4kWh/m2/day. The results showed the areas with moderate solar
energy potential; good solar energy potential and very good solar energy potential. It was revealed that the amount of available
solar power in Niger is 414.651 X 106 MWh. The study has demonstrated the potential of geospatial technology in the analysis of
solar energy potentials, making it suitable for the investigation of other renewable energies. The results also identified the
enormous availability of solar energy potentials in the state as well as the most suitable site for solar energy farms.
Keywords: Solar Radiation, Solar Energy Potentials, Geospatial Methods, DEM, AHP

It is widely recognized that solar energy is the most reliable

1. Introduction renewable energy source [2]. Solar power is more dependable
All over the world, energy is critical for economic and than wind energy and is not as affected by changes in the
socio-development activities. There are different types of climate across the year [3]. However, a large amount of data is
renewable and non-renewable energy which are obtained from needed to design and create solar energy systems, including
various sources. Most African countries, especially those in information on the monthly average of solar radiation on the
the process of development, are not able to produce enough Earth's surface [4]. Unfortunately, there is a lack of this kind
energy, despite the potential of the continent. This of information on renewable energies, especially in Africa [5].
insufficiency of energy causes the poverty and under As a result, the utilization of solar power as a substitute power
development activities for less privileged peoples. source is very poor, leaving millions of African people
The objective of the energy system is to provide energy without access to electricity.
services which begin with the extraction of primary energy, In terms of solar energy development and usage, countries
which is then converted into energy carriers suitable for various of Africa vary significantly. For example, in Morocco in 2013,
end-uses. These energy carriers are used in energy end-use the world's largest solar power plant was built. Aswan City in
technologies to provide the desired energy services [1]. Egypt recently built forty solar power stations with the ability
 American Journal of Modern Physics 2022; 11(6): 95-100 96

to generate 2000 megawatts of power. Tanzania and Kenya analyse geographic data in Geographic Information System
have gone far ahead of Nigeria in terms of solar energy (GIS) is gaining in popularity as a territorial planning tool and
development and use. Despite the fact that solar is now a as a choice of optimal sites for a range of activities and
viable source of power in Nigeria, most studies have installations [8, 15]. Juhi, J. [16] in a study conducted, used
concentrated on Southern Nigeria, in spite of the fact that GIS to create thematic maps of monthly global horizontal
Northern Nigeria has even more potential solar energy that irradiance (GHI) in Uttarakhand by mapping them district by
can be utilized to partially address the country's original power district. The solar potential analysis discovered the maximum
problem. To study the potential solar energy in Northcentral and minimum monthly GHI in every district of Uttarakhand.
Nigeria, in spite of the fact that Northern Nigeria has even The map was created in Map Info and linked to the databases
more potential solar energy that can be utilized to partially for the individual district. Asakereh et al. [17] utilised Fuzzy
address the country's original power issue. Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) and GIS to find
Finding a long-term solution to Nigeria's energy shortage the best locations for solar energy farms in Shodirwan region
is possible by tapping into the country's abundant solar of Iran. GIS interpolation revealed that the annual solar
energy resources. Nigeria's energy mix is not getting any insolation in Shodirwan was the most appropriate.
more energy, so finding a long-term solution is crucial. Solar GIS models were used to map potential harvesting solar
energy is now considered to be the most effective alternative energy sites in Niger State and determine prospective energy
energy resource [6]. There are other alternative energy potential areas based on this research. In addition, the major
sources in Nigeria, but solar energy is now the most effective factors influencing solar radiation in the study area were
one. Nigeria has an average daily solar radiation of about identified.
5.25 kWh/m2/day, which varies between 3.5 and 9.0
kWh/m2/day at coastal as well as northern locations. This 2. Study Area
indicates that Nigeria has the greatest opportunity to harness
its renewable energy potentials by employing effective Niger State is a state in the Northcentral region of Nigeria
strategies to harness renewable energy at a reasonable cost and the largest state in terms of land mass in the country, with
and minimise dependence on fossil fuels [7]. the capital in Minna. The area is found to between latitude
In developing nations where the number of radiation data 10°00’N and longitude 6°00’E of the Greenwich meridian. It
collection stations is limited and direct measurements of solar is bounded by the states of Kebbi and Zamfara to the North,
radiation aren't sufficient, global solar radiation and sunshine Kaduna to the North and Northeast, Kogi to the Southeast, and
duration can be estimated or deduced according to Rehman, S Kwara to the South. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
& Ghori, S. G. [4]. Radiation data can be calculated from other Abuja is on Eastern border, and the Republic of Benin is its
meteorological information in addition to real measured data Western border (See Figure 1).
to provide the required data content for a location or region [8].
This requires empirical modelling. 3. Materials and Methods
Several studies have been done to assess the solar energy
potentials for various locations in northwestern Nigeria. The 3.1. Types and Sources of Data
studies, include Sambo, A. S. [9] in Kano; AbdulAzeez, M. A.
[10] in Gusau. Gana and Akpootu employed Angstrom model 1. The data used for this research was collected by Nigerian
for predicting global solar radiation in kebbi State [11, 12]. Meteorological Agency (NIMET) weather stations at
These studies employed various statistical techniques to Nigerian airports. Until now, data was recorded using
model solar radiation directly from solar data, or, indirectly Gunn-Bellani pyranometers at NIMET weather stations,
from other climatic variables. but currently Solarimeter is used to measure solar
There are no many research conducted at regional and local radiation in Watt per metre square (W/m2) and
scales in East Africa related to solar radiation features. Campbell-strokes sunshine recorders to log sunshine
However, spatial and temporal variability in global, diffuse, duration in hours. Thirty years, daily solar radiation data
and horizontal direct irradiance and sunshine duration has in millijoules per metre square (MJ/m2/day) was
been examined at eight stations in South Africa and two provided by NIMET. The data was converted into
stations in Namibia, where the time series range between 21 kilowatt hour per metre square per day (kWh/m2/day)
and 41 years. Global and direct irradiance and sunshine using the International Energy Agency (IEA) General
duration decrease from Northwest to Southeast, whereas Converter for Energy. This was because solar radiation
diffuse irradiance increases toward the East [13]. A study was values are normally presented in kWh/m2/day, which is
conducted in Kenya in 2013 to investigate the potential of the amount of sunlight that strikes a square metre of
solar energy as a local source of clean and renewable resource Earth's surface in one day.
for Nakuru city. Nakuru is a moderately high solar energy 2. The temporal scope covers 30 year period (1988-2018).
potential region. The study concluded that Nakuru is rich with 3.2. Methods of Data Analysis
abundant solar energy resources, favorable for tapping at both
small and medium scale levels [14]. 1. The study area's solar energy potential was affected by
A tool that uses geographical techniques to manage and slope, elevation, slope angle, and slope aspect. The input
97 Bashir Musa Adavuruku et al.: Geospatial Analysis of Solar Energy Potentials in Niger State, Nigeria

variables were solar radiation, elevation, slope, and slope and low values of each climate parameter. It can be found by
aspect. A multi-criteria analysis was executed to create a the following equation:
pairwise comparison map. Weighted overlaying was
used in the ArcGIS 10.3 spatial analyst extension to (1)
produce a stability distributed network. To generate a
stability distributed network, a method was adapted from where , is the value for the considered years or months ;
Sadeghi, M. & Karimi, M. [18] assessed suitable is the mean for the considered years or months ; is
locations for solar farms and wind turbines in Tehran to the standard deviation for the considered years and months.
increase power transmission in the area. A tabular report To sum up, in this experiment, it was concluded that a
displays the mean, minimum, and greatest solar radiation month and year are normal if their standardized variable index
values in the study area. This is a popular technique that is between -0.5 and +0.5. If their index is greater than +0.5,
is successfully used across the world. they are said to be excessive, and if their index is less than -0.5,
2. Variability Analysis of solar Irradiance. they are considered deficient. This interval is not very wide
The standardised variable index (I) was created by McKee but can be used to distinguish between years and months that
et al. [19] and can be found in many articles [20, 21]. It was are deficit or surplus [21].
used to determine the degree of discrimination between high

Figure 1. The Sudy Area.

irradiance in Niger State over the study period.

4. Results and Discussion The analysis of this figure shows that four months (July,
August and September) are in deficit of solar irradiance. The
4.1. Seasonal Solar Energy Potentials in Niger State month with the lowest index value of -2.00 is August. The
analysis shows also that three months (February, March and
Figure 2 presents the monthly solar irradiance structures April) are in excess of solar irradiance. Normal months are
and respective standardised solar irradiance at Niger State January, May and December. The Month with highest index
over the period of 1988-2018. The analysis of figure 2a value of solar irradiance is March with 1.23.
depicts a bimodal seasonal cycle with peak value attained in The estimated monthly standardised variable index for Niger
February, March, and April. The month of August shows the State is 5.43 kWh m-2 d-1, based on the monthly mean solar
lowest mean value of solar radiation, while the month of irradiance of 5.43 kWh m-2 d-1. The monthly standard deviation
March shows the highest mean value of solar radiation as is 0.62. This information indicates that the months with the
shown in Figure 2a. highest solar irradiance are likely to be the dry season months,
Figure 2b presents the monthly standardised solar resulting in an excess of solar energy. Indeed, due to the scarcity
 American Journal of Modern Physics 2022; 11(6): 95-100 98

of water in the dry season, crop production is constrained. 4.20kWh/m2/day were recorded in Niger state in July and
August, as presented in Table 1.
4.2. Spatial and Temporal Extent of Solar Energy Potential However, the study found that lower insolation levels are
in Niger State due to the presence of clouds, which significantly reduce the
From Table 1, we can see that the highest monthly mean intensity of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface in July
solar radiation values of 6.19 kWh/m2/day, 6.10 kWh/m2/day and August. The minimum insolation recorded in both months
and 5.94 kWh/m2/day were recorded in March, April, and is also attributed to the rainy season. Ojosu, J. O. [22] found
February, respectively. The longer days and shorter nights in similar results in Nigeria, where the rainy season records low
the sahelian region of Nigeria account for the maximum solar radiation levels in July and August.
insolation received during these months. Cloud attenuation The study also found that harnessing solar energy in
reduction during these months results in higher insolation, February, March and April is peak time in the area. However,
which is received over the study area. there are other months of the year that offer good times for
Results from the study also showed that the minimum doing so, which vary with locations.
monthly mean solar radiation values of 4.49kWh/m2/day and

b
Figure 2. a. Monthly Insolation Pattern (Niger State); b. Monthly Standardised Insolation.

Table 1. Solar Radiation Values in Niger State (kWh/m2/day).

Months Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Mean 5.67 5.94 6.19 6.10 5.58 5.10 4.59 4.20 4.84 5.43 5.84 5.66
Min 5.37 5.02 5.45 5.67 5.17 4.73 4.52 3.79 4.49 5.53 5.47 5.19
Max 5.41 5.76 6.26 6.13 5.71 5.43 4.70 3.95 5.03 5.67 5.60 5.40
99 Bashir Musa Adavuruku et al.: Geospatial Analysis of Solar Energy Potentials in Niger State, Nigeria

4.3. Available Solar Power in Niger State potentials in Niger State highlighting the areas with very high,
moderate and low solar energy potentials in the state.
To determine the available solar power in an area, you will Areas with very high solar energy potentials are: Agwara,
need to know the average solar radiation received and the Agaie, Bida, Edati, Gbako, Katcha, Kontagora, Lapai, Lavun,
cross-sectional area of the location. This is illustrated below: Mashegu and Mokwa Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Since Niger state's cross-sectional area =76,363 km2; These are the most suitable potential sites for exploiting solar
and the average solar radiation in Niger State= 5.43 energy in the state. Areas with high potentials are: Bosso,
kWh/m2/day; Borgu, Chanchaga, Gurara, Paikoro, Suleja and Tafa LGAs.
Cross sectional area X the average power intercepted at any Areas with moderate solar energy potentials are: Magama,
time (Electropaedia, 2016). Munya, Rijau, Rafi, Shiroro and Wushishi Local Government
Thus, the average power intercepted at any time in the state Areas. Areas with low potentials is Mariga LGA.
= 76,363 X5.43 Descriptions of location qualities that should be considered
=76,363 X 5.43 = 414651.09 X 106= 414.651 X 109 kWh = when identifying suitable locations for PV and concentrating
414.651 X 106 MWh solar power projects are given in [23]. The amount of direct,
= 35,653,568.40 tonne of oil equivalent. horizontal solar radiation at a site should be ≥5 kWh/m2/day to
4.4. Solar Energy Potential Sites in Niger State be of real interest. Many locations in Niger state could be
utilised in this way.
Figure 3 below shows the spatial variation of solar energy

Figure 3. Solar Energy Potential Sites in Niger State.

It was found that despite Niger State being characterised by

5. Conclusion high solar energy potentials, spatial variations in the amount
of utilisable solar potentials exist across the study area,
Studying the potential of solar energy in Niger State, this resulting in moderate, good and very good solar energy
research used geospatial techniques. The result discovered an potentials. To investigate the factors behind the spatial
immense solar energy potentials in the state and the most variation in solar energy potentials, further research is
suitable locations for solar energy installations were identified. required.
 American Journal of Modern Physics 2022; 11(6): 95-100 100

[13] Power, H. C.; Mills, D. M. Solar radiation climate change over

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