Zonal evaluation for siting a solar power plant in Cross River State, Nigeria

An experimental survey was embarked upon to establish the effect of solar radiation intensity, the panel power output, current density and the efficiency of solar panels in three major geographical zones in Cross River State, Nigeria. The zones are Mangrove, University of Calabar, Tropical Rainforest, Nko - Yakurr and Guinea Savanna, Abakpa - Ogoja. The result from the investigation shows that the Guinea Savanna produced the highest current density of 8.20 A/cm2, power output of 152.3W, 36.5% efficiency and a solar radiation magnitude of 991.9 W/m2 from a monocrystalline panel. However, polycrystalline panel generated better output for all the measured parameters thus: current density of 8.80 A/cm2, power output of 170.72 W, 39.9% efficiency range for the same solar radiation magnitude of 991.9W/m2 From the analysis of the survey performed across the three geographical zones. The Mangrove zone has shown greater potential to accommodate solar farms, hence generate good energy to bridge the vacuum created in the power generating sector.