Journal of Solar Energy Research

An Economic Based Analysis of Fossil Fuel Powered Generator and Solar Photovoltaic System as Complementary Electricity Source for a University Student’s Room

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

2 Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

3 Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

4 Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

Notwithstanding the reported hazardous effect of combustion of fossil fuel on humans and the environment, and the established viability of renewable energy source (in this case solar) as alternative sources of electricity in Nigeria; there seems to be increasing subscription to fossil fuel powered generators amongst regular university students living off campus. Beyond functionality and safety, the economic implication of acquiring and running an energy generating source seems to contribute significantly in the decision to adopt same. Similarly, student’s propensity to choose an alternative electricity supply source is supposedly affected by this factor. There is therefore need for economic based analysis of the alternative sources. The results of an online based survey among the students and a mini experiment served as basis for and input data in the analysis. The cost implications as at the time of this research were obtained from local vendors, classified and used in the analysis. Net present worth, net annual worth, benefit-cost ratio and return on investment were measures employed in the analysis, and decision making was based on the set criteria. The result of the analysis shows that the challenger (solar photovoltaic system) could be more economical than the defender (fossil fuel powered generators) for the 5 years’ study period, if the current electricity load of the selected student’s room is optimized.

Keywords

  1. Owusu, P.A., Asumadu-Sarkodie, S. and Ameyo, P. A review of Ghana’s water resource management and the future prospect. Cogent Eng., 2016. 3, 1164275.
  2. Ali, H.S., Nathaniel, S.P., Uzuner, G., Bekun, F.V. and Sarkodie, S.A. Trivariate modelling of the nexus between electricity consumption, urbanization and economic growth in Nigeria: Fresh insights from Maki Cointegration and causality tests. Heliyon, 2020. 6 (2), e03400.
  3. Odekanle, E.L., Odejobi, O.J., Dahunsi, S.O. and Akeredolu, F.A. Potential for cleaner energy recovery and electricity generation from abattoir wastes in Nigeria. Energy Rep., 6, p.1262–1267.
  4. Akinlo, A.E. Electricity consumption and economic growth in Nigeria: Evidence from co-integration and co-feature analysis. Journal of Policy Modelling, 2009. 31 (5), p. 681-692; available: http://dx.xoi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2009.03.004
  5. Poveda, A.C. and Martínez, C.I.P. Trends in economic growth, poverty and energy in Colombia: Long-run and short-run effects. Energy Syst., 2011. 2 (3), p. 281–298.
  6. Asumadu-Sarkodie, S. and Owusu, P.A. Recent evidence of the relationship between carbon dioxide emissions, energy use, GDP, and population in Ghana: A linear regression approach. Energy Sources Part B Econ. Plan. Policy, 2017. 12 (6), p. 495–503
  7. Diniz, A.S.A.C., França, E. D., Câmara, C. F., Morais, P. M. R. and Vilhena, L. The Important Contribution of Photovoltaics in a Rural School Electrification Program, Transactions of the IEEE, 2006. 2, p. 2528-2531.
  8. Makoto K. and Toshihiko N. Assessment of access to electricity and the socio-economic impacts in rural areas of developing countries, Energy Policy, 2008. 36,p. 2016–2029
  9. Van den Berg, S. How effective are poor schools? Poverty and educational outcomes. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 2008. 34,p. 145–154
  10. Skelton, A. Leveraging funds for school infrastructure: The South African ‘mud schools’ case study. International Journal of Educational Development, 2014. 39, p. 59-63.
  11. Ibitoye, F.I. and Adenikinju, A. Future demand for electricity in Nigeria. Applied Energy [online], 2007. 84 (5), p492-504; available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com
  12. Akinbulire, T. O., Oluseyi, P. O., Awosope, C.O.A. and Okoro, O. I. Data-based analysis of power system crisis in Nigeria. ESPTAEE, 2008 [online]; available at: http://www.unilag.edu.ng/opendoc.php?sno=12448&doctype=doc&docname=$
  13. Cepin, M. Distribution and Transmission System Reliability Measures. Assessment of Power System Reliability [online], 2011. p.215 – 226, London: Springer-Verlag. Available at http://dx.xoi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-688-7_14
  14. Oseni, M.O. Households’ access to electricity and energy consumption pattern in Nigeria. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16 (6),p. 3967-3974.
  15. Sambo, A.S. (2010). Renewable energy development in Nigeria. Presented at the world future council \strategy workshop on Renewable Energy, Accra, Ghana
  16. Chinwuko, E.C., Mgbemena, C.O., Aguh, P.S. and Ebhota, W.S. Electricity Generation and Distribution in Nigeria: Technical issues and solutions. International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology [online], 2011. 3 (11), p.7934-7941; available http://www.ijest.info/docs/IJEST11-03-11-131.pdf
  17. Sambo, A. Matching Electricity Supply with Demand in Nigeria. International Association for Energy Economics, 2008. 4, p.32-36.
  18. Ajao, K. R., Ajimotokan, H. A., Popoola, O. T. and Akande, H. F. Electric energy supply in Nigeria, Decentralized Energy approach. Cogeneration & Distributed Generation Journal [online], 2009. 24 (4); Available at: http://dx.xoi.org/10.1080/15453660909595149
  19. Gujba, H., Mulugetta, Y. and Azapagic, A. Power generation scenarios for Nigeria: An environmental and cost assessment. Energy Policy, 2011. 39 (2), p. 968-980.
  20. Mbachu, V.M. and Alukwe, U. Biogas production using liquid extract from plantain pseudo stem. International Journal of Engineering & Industry, 2019. 2, (2), p. 9-14,
  21. Mbachu, V.M., Ovuworie, G.C., Okwu M.O. and Tartibu, L.K. Modelling sustainability of a demand-based biomass to biogas conversion system: a bio-mimicry feedstock inventory-based approach. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01581-z
  22. International Energy Agency Energy Technology Perspectives. 2DS-hiRen Scenario.(2012).
  23. Aliyu, A.S., Dada, J.O. and Adam, I.K. Current status and future prospects of renewable energy in Nigeria. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2015. 48, p. 336-346.
  24. Blaschke, T., Biberacher, M., Gadocha, S. and Schardinger, I. Energy landscapes: meeting energy demands and human aspirations. Biomass- Bioenergy, 2013. 55, p.3–
  25. Herrando, M. and Markides, C. N. Hybrid PV and solar-thermal systems for domestic heat and power provision in the UK: techno-economic considerations. Appl Energy, 161, p.512–32.
  26. Mohanty P., Muneer T., Gago E. J. and YashKotak Y. Solar radiation fundamentals and PV system components. Springer International Publishing, 2015.https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14663-8_2
  27. Oyedepo, S.O. Energy and sustainable development in Nigeria: the way forward. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 2012. 2 (1), p.1-17.
  28. Ohunakin, O.S., Adaramola, M.S., Oyewola, O.M. and Fagbenle, R.O. Solar energy applications and development in Nigeria: Drivers and barriers. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2014. 32,p. 294-301.
  29. Adeyanju, A.A. Solar Thermal Energy Technologies in Nigeria. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 2011. 6 (7), p. 451-456.
  30. Ajayi, O.O., Ohijeagbon, O.D., Nwadialo, C.E. and Olasope, O. New model to estimate daily global solar radiation over Nigeria. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 2014.  5, p. 28-36.
  31. Kieran, P. (2014). Review of the reform and the Privatization of Power Sector in Nigeria: Solution for Growing Economies. Available at: http://www.energynet.co.uk/webfm_send/427. [Accessed 14 February 2017]. .
  32. Emetere, M.E. and Akinyemi, M.L. Prospects of solar energy in the coastal areas of Nigeria. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2012. 1705 (1), 020035.
  33. Shaaban M. and Petinrin, J. O. Renewable energy potentials in Nigeria: Meeting rural energy needs. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014. 29, p.72-84.
  34. Bamiro O.M and Ogunjobi J.O. Determinants of Household Energy Consumption in Nigeria : Evidence from Ogun State, the International Journal Research Publication, 2015.4 (12): p35– 41
  35. Masini, A. and Menichetti, E., The impact of behavioural factors in the renewable energy investment decision making process: Conceptual framework and empirical findings. Energy Policy, 2012. 40, p.28-38.
  36. Amankwah– Amoah, J. Solar Energy in Sub‐Saharan Africa: The Challenges and Opportunities of Technological Leapfrogging. Thunderbird International Business Review, 2015. 57 (1), p.15-31.
  37. Osinowo, A.A., Okogbue, E.C., Ogungbenro, S.B. and Fashanu, O. Analysis of Global Solar Irradiance over Climatic Zones in Nigeria for Solar Energy Applications. Journal of Solar Energy, 2015: p. 1-9.
  38. Liu, J. and Brandon, H. (2017). Study and Design Process of Solar PV System. Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study. 47. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems500/47
  39. Adewale, A.A., Adekitan, A.I., Idoko, O.I., Agbetuyi. F.A. and Samuel, I. A. Energy audit and optimal power supply for a commercial building in Nigeria. Cognet Engineering, 2018. 5.1, 1546658, DOI:10.1080/23311916.2018.1546658
  40. Alonso, S. Nigeria central bank holds rate to support economic recovery. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-25/nigerian-central-bank-leaves-interest-rate-unchanged-at-11-5.
Journal of Solar Energy Research
Volume 7, Issue 4
October 2022
Pages 1159-1173