Geospatial Analysis of Solar Energy Potentials in Niger State, Nigeria

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.