Case Studies – INTECHNOLOGY LIMITED

A Case For Renewable Energy!?

With less than about 47 per cent of Nigerians having access to electricity at the moment and a daily production wobbling between 1,500 and 2,800 megawatts, there is a need to embrace renewable energy.

The actual available capacity of electricity in Nigeria at the moment swings between 3,000 and 4,000 megawatts out of an installed capacity of about 8 to 10,000 megawatts. This is against a current demand of over 30,000 megawatts and with a projected plan to produce about 190,000 megawatts by the year 2030 according to the Federal Government projections, this appears far-fetched.

With demand capacities in granting Integrated Power Plant (IPP), licences and a capacity for additional 10,000 megawatts, none of this projects have been of realisable effects on the average consumer years after, and this accounts for why Nigeria has remained largely in darkness. The grim picture of the energy situation in the country therefore calls for innovative approaches backed by realisable options to meet the demand. Renewable energy therefore seems to be the way forward.

The option to close the wide gap in Nigeria, would be by generating energy from sources that can be replenished such as the wind and the sun.

Renewable energy is generated from the sun, the wind and other natural sources and it constitutes about 16 percent of global energy at the moment. It is cost effective and environmentally friendly, coupled with the fact that it can also be distributed with ease.

What is solar PV system?

Solar photovoltaic system or Solar power system is one source of renewable energy system which uses PV modules to convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity generated can be stored, used directly, fed back into grid line or combined with one or more other electricity generators or more renewable energy sources.

Solar PV system is very reliable and a clean source of electricity that can suit a wide range of applications such as residence, industry, agriculture, livestock, etc.

Major system components include but not limited to;

• A PV module (Solar Panel) – which converts sunlight into DC electricity.

• A Solar charge controller – which regulates the voltage and current coming from the PV Panels going to the battery and prevents battery overcharging and prolongs the battery life.

An Inverter – This converts DC output of PV panels or wind turbine into clean AC current for AC appliances or fed back into the grid line.

• Battery – that stores energy for supplying to electrical appliances when there is a demand.

• Load – are electrical appliances connected to a solar PV system, (such as lights, radio, TV, Computer, Refrigerator, etc.)