Sizing of a Photovoltaic System for an Urban Settlement in a Flood-Prone Area in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Urban settlements in flood-prone areas are faced with significant challenges in ensuring reliable and sustainable energy access. Being privy to a more secured and consistent electricity supply, still remains a feat to be unraveled in certain regions of the Sub-Saharan Africa like Nigeria.

Objectives: This study aims to present a guided approach on how to size a photovoltaic system for an urban settlement in a flood-prone area tailored to address the persistent power outage challenge so as to make electricity available for residents in such location.

Methods: The data used in this study spans from 2017 t0 2021 and was acquired for a study area located in the Southwest of Nigeria situated in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State from the National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA). Additional research resources utilised include Microsoft Excel and the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources software (HOMER Pro).

Results: The total daily energy consumption per category of apartments (2-Bedroom, 3-Bedroom, and Terrace) were 61.15kWh/day, 41.02 kWh/day, and 284.31 kWh/day respectively. Each category of apartment type, the number of photovoltaic panels needed are 3, 5, 7 and 11 respectively while the storage system needed were 1.1 ,2 with zero environmental impact. 

Conclusions: The study demonstrated, via a detailed analysis of an urban settlement in a flood-prone area, how the sizing of a photovoltaic system can be channeled to help meet the energy demands of the residents in such a location by guaranteeing that access to electricity is of limited concern with no environmental issues.