CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Energy is a basic need for the development of socio-economic and enhancement of people’s living standard. As the people becomes more developed then the energy consumption also increases but the conventional energy have a negative impact in our environment and it is also in the way of exhaustion. [Lesourd, 2001; Changa et al 2003] Getting an access to electrical energy is one of the basic needs for the civilized world.

But many villagers in developing nations have no access to electricity [Muhopadhyay et al 2003] The conventional electricity system for rural electrification is not succeeded in satisfying the electricity consumption of the rural population because rural villages are most of the time far from the main grid lines. The planners (corporations who is responsible for the distribution of electricity) do not give a priority for rural electrification since it does not directly lead to economic regeneration or increased productivity.

Muhopadhyay et al 2003; Cambclong et al 2009; Stutenbaumer et al (2009) Due to the increased energy demand, and the problem of environment such as global warming leads to a growth interest of renewable energies which are environmentally friendly. Solar energy is one of the main renewable resources which can curb the negative impact of fossil fuels [Lesourd, 2001; Zahedi, 2006].

Nigeria is naturally endowed with abundant renewable energy resources especially solar irradiation. A lot of potentials exist which can be adequately harnessed into useful energy. Moreover, a large percentage of the Nigerian populace lives in rural areas with very little energy access. This translates to absence of basic social amenities and the resultant effect being a constant exodus from such areas to urban centers where there are social amenities. This drift occurs in every part of the country.

However, this trend is not economically healthy to our country as the urban areas tend to be over populated and over stretched in their facilities with other attendant consequences whereas the rural areas, where basic or primary production takes place is depleted in population leading to a drop in this aspect of production, with the greatest sector affected being the agricultural sector.

Consequently, renewable energy technologies can be adopted and applied in the rural areas where the national grid has not yet been extended to. Rural electrification, community water projects and other things can be achieved with the use of renewable energy technologies. This will increase energy access in such areas and improve the standard of living thereby discouraging and curbing migration from such places to the urban areas.

Furthermore, the uses of renewable energy technologies like

Solar energy does not only increase energy access and aid in providing social amenities, it also has capacity to generate employment opportunities which will culminate in curbing rural-urban drift in Nigeria.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Renewable energy is very important because the non-renewable energy such as petrol, diesel, and fossil fuels are limited. Solar energy is the most easily available source of energy. The challenges of generating solar power for individuals in the rural area could be as a result of lack of proper maintenance, in the rural areas, there might be difficulty in getting someone that can repair and maintain the solar system. It could also be as a result of lack of funds to fix up what has gone bad in the system. Most of the families in the rural areas might not have the money to purchase the equipments for the installation of the solar power. Finally, several researches has been carried out on the effect of solar energy but not even a single research has been carried out on solar power generation for individual in rural area can solve the problems of power in this country (Nigeria).

1.3   AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

        The main aim of the study is to examine solar power generation for individual in rural area which can solve the problems of power in this country. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1.          to determine the factors affecting solar power generation in rural area.

2.          to determine the influence of solar power in rural area.

3.          to determine the extent to which the generation of solar power affects rural areas.

4.          to proffer possible solutions to the problems.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS               

1.          What are the factors affecting solar power generation in rural area?

2.          What is the influence of solar power in rural area?

3.          What is the extent to which the generation of solar power affects rural areas?

4.          What are the possible solutions to the problems?

1.5   STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0:    The generation of solar power for individual in rural areas has no significant effect on problems of power in Nigeria.

H1:         The generation of solar power for individual in rural areas has significant effect on problems of power in Nigeria.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on solar power generation for individual in rural areas can solve the problems of power will be of immense benefit to the entire country Nigeria in the sense that it will enable them to install solar panels in their various homes, thereby making good use of the sun. The study will also educate the government on installing solar panels in the rural areas in places like schools, community boreholes etc. It will also enable the youth and other interested persons in the rural areas to undergo training that is necessary for the solar panel installation and maintenance; this will make the repairs and installation of solar power to be closer to the rural people and also will make it less expensive. Finally, the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge to this field of studies and basis for further research.

1.7   SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on solar power generation for individual in rural area can solve the problems of power is limited to Nigeria.

1.8   LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Solar Poweris the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaic (PV), indirectly using concentrated solarpower, or a combination. 

Generationproduce or create.

Problem matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome

Solveto find a solution, explanation, or answer for. 

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