Application of Solar Energy Technologies in Nigeria: Synopsis of Significant Issues and Challenges

Abstract

The challenge of global energy insufficiency most especially in Consequently, government and energy stakeholders across the world have been promoting the use of renewable energy technologies especially solar energy technologies in sun-rich countries. Solar energy technologies have been used for more than a century ago and continue and still continue to play its relevance in on-grid and off-grid electricity generation. This paper provides a concise overview of the different solar power generation technologies based on Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Solar Photovoltaic (SPV). İt further presents a brief overview of the current status of solar energy applications in Nigeria and highlighted some key barriers to the agrresive implementation of solar energy technologies in the country. The challenges highlighted are based on the atmospheric barrier, absence of strong political and regulatory support, financial and economic constraints, socio-cultural acceptability due to reliability misconceptions, lack of technology for equipment manufacturing, repair and maintenance services, and weak market barrier. Also, a summary of some important issues in renewable electricity generation in Nigeria was presented.