AN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF A SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PLANT IN AFAHA-OBONG, ABAK LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA AKWA-IBOM STATE.

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ABSTRACT

The existence of sunlight, air and other resources on earth must be used in an appropriate way for human welfare while still protecting the environment and its living creatures. The exploitation of sunlight and air as a sustainable Renewable Energy (RE) source is an important research and development domain over past few years. The generation of power through sunlight has made energy supply easier, less expensive and faster while maintaining the same quality of electrical energy. It takes a painstaking process for a person in Afaha-Obong Community and its environs to carry out perfect activities that need electrical power without facing a challenge of expenses by fueling  generator or traveling to other towns to get the job done thereby wasting time, money, and energy. The objective of this project is to provide an Architectural design of a solar photovoltaic plant in Afaha-Obong Community with functional space to accommodate the various processes in solar photovoltaic plant. Its scope shall include an Administrative area, solar farm/power bank and inverter unit, maintenance/installation area, warehouse, sick bay, canteen meeting hall and staff quarter.  In order to enhance the design of this PV plant, case studies would be carried out to study the existing situation, Architectural books, Building construction books and Journals would be consulted as well as a review of related literatures. This is a sustainable innovation and also has the potential to employ a significant number of the unemployed and thereby boost the economy of the community and the state at large.

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

 

TITLE PAGE         i

DECLARATION   ii

CERTIFICATION iii

DEDICATION      iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT   v

ABSTRACT           vi

TABLE OF CONTENT        vii

LIST OF TABLES  ix

LIST OF FIGURES               x

LIST OF PLATE    xi

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1          Background of Study      1

1.2          Statement of Problem   2

1.3          Aim and Objectives         4

1.4          Project Justification        5

1.5          Scope of the Study          6

1.6          Research Limitation        7

1.7          Definition of Terms         7

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1          The History of Solar Energy in Nigeria      11

2.3          The beginning of the Early Solar Photovoltaic in Nigeria  13

2.4          The State of Power Generating in Afaha-Obong Community       16

2.5          The Principle behind Photovoltaic effect for Generating Electricity            17

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1          Case Studies:     20

3.2          Case Study 2:     24

3.3          Case Study 3:     27

3.5          Area of Study    30

3.6          Population of Study        30

3.7          Procedure for Data Collection    32

3.8          Method of Data Analysis              32

CHAPTER 4: SITE STUDIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

4.1          Site Location      34

4.2          Site Selection Criteria     35

4.3          Site Analysis and Interpretation                36

4.4          Site Climatic Studies and Implication        38

CHAPTER 5: DESIGN SOLUTION AND DISCUSSION

5.1          Design Brief        41

5.2          Design Concept                42

5.3          Site Zoning and Layout  43

5.4          Spatial Requirement and Consideration 45

5.5          Design Consideration:    46

5.6          Construction Method, Materials and Finishes     48

5.7          Building Services              50

CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1          Summary             52

6.2          Conclusion          53

6.3          Recommendation            54

REFERENCES       56

 

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

Table                                                                                                                                                                     Page

3.1: Akwa Ibom State Population Distribution 2016           –              –              –              31

4.1: Site Selection Criteria             –              –              –              –              –              –              –              35

5.1: Spatial Requirement              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              45

5.2: Floor Finish                 –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              49

 

 

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure                                                                                                                                                   Page

2.5: Photovoltaic Diagram             –              –              –              –              –              –              –              18

3.1: Site Location Map    –              –              –              –              –              –              –              21

3.2: Site Layout                 –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              21

3.3: Floor Plan    –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              22

3.4: Site Location Map                    –              –              –              –              –              –              24

3.5: Site Layout –               –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              25

3.6: Floor Plan   –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              25

3.7: Location Maps          –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              26

3.8: Site Layout –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              28

3.10: Floor Plan                 –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              28

4.1:  Site Location Map   –              –              –              –              –              –              –              34

4.2:  Site Analysis              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              37

5.2:  Design Concept       –              –              –              –              –              –              –              42

5.3:  Site Zoning                –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              43

5.4:  Site Layout                –              –              –              –              –              –              –              –              44

 

 

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

Sun light is a vital source of energy for the entire living creature on earth. Solar radiation is being used for several purposes by human beings since many centries. The first recoded evidence is available from 7th century B.C. when the sun rays were used to make fire after concentrating with glass. The major breakthrough was attained in the year 1938 with the discovery of photovoltaic effects.

A photovoltaic system used in converting solar energy for electricity production comprises of solar cell, solar module, inverter, batteries modules, cables wires, network switch /router, distribution panel/meter, stand alone monitor, circuit breaker, change controller, transformer and junction box are used for generation of clean and sustainable electricity for human use. So the opportunities in photovoltaic plant are endless and have the potential, to boost the economy of state and country at large.

Afaha-obong community in Abak Local Government Area in Akwa-Ibom State is a destination of choice for any potential investor willing to take advantage of this superior natural attraction, such as palms, trees, cassava and fruits. However due to the very daunting electricity challenges, some of the natural attracts of the study area have not bee harnessed. The plethora of fossil  fuels and coal being burned by major corporations and in industries are creating an abundance of greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere and causing climate change and other substantial problem for the environment Greenpeace (2001).

The cost of energy resources has been on the rise from the previous years. Now is the time to start looking in the future technologies to make the community a lucrative and more sustainable place by implementation of solar photovoltaic plant in the community so as to strengthen our local economy and create job opportunities Sambo, (2009).

1.2 Statement of Problem

Due to poor electricity challenges faced by the people of Afaha-Obong Community, the necessity of establishment of solar photovoltaic energy in this community becomes timely and necessary, so to reduce the challenge faced by the indigenes of this community and it environs to have a sustainable electricity power without traveling out of the community just because of insufficient electricity.

Social Problems

  • Poverty Alleviation:

Over 70% of the Nigerian populations live below two US dollars daily. Engaging the unemployed youth and old people into this plant would alleviate poverty and this will go a long way in providing them, means of earning money and to live comfortably.

  • Job Creation:

The youth forms about 70% of Nigeria population, but majority of these youths are unemployed. However the execution of these plants would give youth of Afaha-Obong Community opportunity to be employed as it will create job opportunities.

  • Economic Development

The economic development of this region is poor due to low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), this plant will attract individual and co-operate organization from within and without the L.G.A will tap into this development and more money will come into the L.G.A and the community specifically.

  • Architectural Problems

There exist the challenges of:

  • The building typology, so as to function to the need or want of the plant.
  • Arrangement of the solar plane to achieve optimum sun ray.
  • Massing of the facility to ensure functional circulation.

Therefore setting up this project is timely.

1.3 Aim and Objectives

This project is aimed at providing an Architectural design of a functional solar photovoltaic plant that will generate adequate electricity for the community and also contribute to the development of the region. However its objectives include:

  • To provide functional facilities to mass the various activities and processes involved in the plant.
  • To provide good accessibility, for able and disable.
  • Provision for good landscape such as good circulation, adequate greens, adequate parking lot, pedestrians walk way and trees.
  • To reduce the risks, time and stress involved in travelling outside the community.
  • It will also create job opportunities, alleviate poverty and by extension improve the economy of the community and the local government at large.

1.4 Project Justification

Afaha-Obong community has developed to a certain level due to the Improvement of infrastructure just experienced, such as good road network and pipe borne water supply which lead to population increase due to the migration of neigbouring villages into the community. But currently, there is adequate power supply to the community such that can support the growth or the activity of the community without spending  alot of money, time and energy before carrying out any activities that require electricity.

The amount of power supply acquired from Power Holding Commission (PHC) for use in this community is 24v – 50H2 but still many villages in this community are off the national electricity grid till date. Due to the research in urbanization and population of the study area, the demand of power supply need to be increased up to 1mw so as to cater for the entire community effectively. Hence harnessing the sustainable source of power supply, such as solar energy supply which can generated up to 8 – 10 hours per day would serve as a remedy to power issue in this community.

And further, to promote the growth of the community.

1.5 Scope of the Study

The scope of this project shall include the following facilities.

Administrative Area: Sick Bay, Meeting Hall, Canteen, Managers Office, Reception, Teller/Payment Office and Directors Office.

Ware House: Installation Unit, Maintenance Unit.

Training Unit: Practical hall, classroom and offices.

Staff Quarter: Four (4) Semi detach two bedroom flat and seven (7) one bedroom flat.

Power Bank Unit: Inverter/Battery Module, Control/Monitoring Room and Office.

Solar Arrays: Solar Panels, Junction Box, Circuit Breaker, Transformer and Grid/Poles.

Auxiliary Facilities: Car Park, Gate House, Generator Houses, etc.

1.6 Research Limitation

Some limitation encountered in the course of carrying out this project includes:

  • Combining this project with other courses and academic activities, made the time given for this project short.
  • Local case study too limited.
  • Insufficient fund to further more research.

1.7 Definition of Terms

  • Solar Array: A solar array consists of one or many panels.

A photovoltaic array, or solar array, is a linked collection of solar panels. The power that one module can produce is seldom enough to meet requirements of a home or a business, so the modules are linked together to form an array.

  • Photovoltaic System: Is the totality of every component in the system, including what are known as balances of system components are what safety converts DC power to AC power.
  • Inverter: A device which converts direct current into alternating current.
  • Transformer: A transformer is an electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction.
  • Battery Management System (BMS): Is any electronic system that manages a rechargeable battery (cell or battery from operating outside its safe operating area, monitoring its state, calculating secondary data, reporting that data, controlling its environment, authenticating it and / or balancing it).
  • Grid: A network of cables or pipes for distributing power, especially high voltage transmission line for electricity. Or is an electric grid a network of synchronized power providers and consumers that are connected by transmission and distribution lines and operated by one of more control centers. So when talking about power “grid” it refers to the transmission system for electricity.

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