Assessment of Temperature-Dependent Variation in Power and Voltage Output of Photovoltaic System in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of temperature on the power and voltage output of photovoltaic (PV) systems deployed in Abuja, Nigeria. Meteorological data, specifically temperature and solar irradiance, were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Abuja headquarters. The data were recorded at five-minute intervals over a two-year period (2021–2022) to capture temporal variations and to establish correlations between temperature fluctuations and PV system performance. Descriptive statistical tools were employed to analyze the relationship between local temperature, power, and voltage, thereby determining the extent of correlation between temperature and PV output. The results showed that power output ranged from –752.74 W to 313.83 W, with a mean value of –219.46 W, while voltage ranged from 12.09 V to 14.42 V, with a mean of 13.26 V. The average monthly temperature in Abuja during the study period varied between 25.72°C and 33.01°C, with a mean of 29.37°C. Graphical analyses of power output and voltage against temperature revealed a consistent inverse relationship across all months. The study concludes that both power output and voltage are strongly and inversely affected by temperature, thereby challenging the assumption that operating solar panels above 25°C enhances solar energy performance.