Effects of Tropospheric Height and Wind Speed on Solar Power Generation: Energy Exploration Above Ground Level

Terrestrial and extraterrestrial factors hinder the exploitation of solar power using a ground platform. This paper is concerned with the generation of solar power above ground level. This paper employs modeling and simulations coupled with experimentation to establish a functional relationship between the percentage of solar power gain, tropospheric height and wind speed. The natural wind flow equation established a linear relationship between tropospheric height and wind speed, between tropospheric height and the percentage of solar power gain. It is evident that an insignificant percentage of solar power gain (≈2%) corresponded to 1000 m above ground level; the tropospheric height of 8100 m recorded 20% of solar power gain. Furthermore, wind speeds of 0 to 33 ms-1/distance (1000 m) correspond to ground level and tropospheric height of about 8100 m. However, there is a prospect of achieving more percentage of solar power gain by applying high-altitude platforms. The results obtained apply to other study areas having elevations below or equal to 1100 m, it serves as a guide in the estimation of the percentage of solar power gain by the virtue of tropospheric height and wind speed.

Keywords

Percentage of solar power gain, Wind speed, tropospheric height, modeling and Simulation

Citation

Nnamchi, S. N., Natukunda, F., Wanambwa, S., Musiime, E. B., Tukamuhebwa, R., Wanazusi, T., & Ogwal, E. Effects of Tropospheric Height and Wind Speed on Solar Power Generation: Energy Exploration Above Ground Level. Available at SSRN 4235993.https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4235993

URI

https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/5074

Collections

Engineering and Technology

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