HARNESSING THE SUN TO SOLVE OUR POWER NEEDS.
In the nineties, the exclamation "Up NEPAAAA!" always comes with short,but huge celebration.
While the kids make their ways to their various home to continue with their favorite cartoon, the adults triple their steps , just to get home in time to finish chores that require use of Electricity, before the power goes on another sabbatical leave.
As years go by, This scenarios haven't changed, though with the availability of different sizes of generator, various homes no longer depend totally on National grid for their Electrical power needs;
Generators has become a must have for almost all homes in Nigeria, as its usefulness in our homes and business can not be overemphasized. But, its effect on our environment has always been a cause of concern for experts who has carried out different research on the cons of generator in our society.
Engr. Moses dimpka in his paper said , " Generator is problem that solves a problem".
He further highlighted these problems to include, but not limited to
•Noise pollution,
•cost of fuels
•Emissions of green house gasses
•Safety of operation.

Solar systems on the other hand, has now solved this problems poised by generators .

1)Solar systems has about 0.71decibel of sound level at
normal operating conditions. These can't be compared to a generators sound level of about 21 decibels.

2)Efficiency: The transient stability of generators and its efficiency, especially when underloaded has been a case of interest to Electrical Engineer.
Most home appliances have been damaged because of swings in generators.
The solar system has totally eradicated this issues, as its phase angle remains one, when underloaded or on average load conditions.
Hence KVA=KW in solar systems

3) Emission of green house gasses: These are gases that contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Gasses like Carbon monoxide,CFCs etc are emitted by the exhaust of a generator and has green house effect
The solar system has been found to emit none of these gases

4) Safety of operation: The inflammable nature of fuels used by generators is of great concern to safety experts. Thousand homes has being set ablaze because of accidents associated with the use of generators.
This can't be said of solar systems that uses none of this fuels

5) Availability of operating materials: There are days where fuel scarcity becomes the order of the day in Nigeria. Many people with money is visited with the harsh reality of having no fuel to buy. Business suffer and many are forced to shut down temporarily.
But, the sun is always available. There is no geographical position on Earth without sun. No place!
6) Cost: Though many may argue that the cost of setting up a Solar systems is higher, but when juxtaposed with a generator in the long run, one can see that a generator cost more .
I will encourage each home to start working towards going solar.So the power of the sun can work for you.


(B.eng,H.S.E, )