Estimation of Solar Radiation for Crop Drying in Uyo, Nigeria Using a Mathematical Model

Abstract

Insolation available to dry crop on any clear-day was mathematically simulated on a local computer, using a suitable object oriented programming language (JAVA), for predicting solar radiation available at any given time in the Northern hemisphere on longitude East on Greenwich. Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria was used as a case study. The deterministic model was developed using set of equations and taking into consideration the factors of two components of solar radiation: The beam and diffused components. The results of the model rapidly produced hourly, monthly and daily data of insolation on horizontal earth surface and was verified and validated using existing solar radiation data, gotten from the Nigeria Metrological Station, Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Uyo, Nigeria. Predicted results showed that total solar radiation on any clear-day of the year in Uyo, Nigeria is sufficient to dry crops provided the crops are dried between the hours of 9a.m. and 4 p.m. March, April and September were found to be the best months for crop drying, while August and December recorded the lowest solar insolation.