Design, Fabrication, and Performance Evaluation of a Small-Scale Hybrid Solar Thermal Parabolic Trough System with Auxiliary Gas Heating for Electricity Generation in Nigeria

Authors

Keywords:

Concentrated Solar Power, Hybrid System, Superheated Steam, Electricity Generation, Nigeria

Abstract

Energy plays a fundamental role in economic development and technological advancement. Nigeria continues to experience persistent electricity shortages due to limited generation capacity and increasing energy demand. Given the country’s high solar radiation potential, solar thermal technologies offer a promising option for decentralized electricity generation. This study presents the design, fabrication, and experimental evaluation of a small-scale hybrid solar thermal parabolic trough collector (PTC) system for electricity generation. The system consists of a 4 m long parabolic trough collector with acrylic mirror reflectors, a borosilicate glass receiver tube, water as the heat transfer fluid, a single-axis solar tracking mechanism, an auxiliary liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) heating unit, and a compact impulse steam turbine coupled to a DC generator. Experimental tests were conducted over three consecutive days between 09:00 AM and 05:00 PM. The system produced a peak electrical power output of 40.79 W. Short-duration instantaneous efficiency values approaching 26% were observed during periods of high solar irradiance; however, the average overall solar-to-electric efficiency during the experimental period was approximately 7.9%. The hybrid configuration improved operational stability during periods of low solar radiation. Performance limitations were mainly associated with low steam mass flow rate, thermal losses in the receiver and piping, and the limited efficiency of the small impulse turbine. The results demonstrate the feasibility of locally fabricated hybrid solar thermal systems for small-scale off-grid electricity generation in developing regions.

Dimensions

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Published

2026-03-17

How to Cite

Design, Fabrication, and Performance Evaluation of a Small-Scale Hybrid Solar Thermal Parabolic Trough System with Auxiliary Gas Heating for Electricity Generation in Nigeria. (2026). Nigerian Journal of Applied Physics, 2(1), 46-61. https://doi.org/10.62292/njap-v2i1-2026-35

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Nigerian Journal of Applied Physics - Vol. 2 No. 1

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Articles
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How to Cite

Design, Fabrication, and Performance Evaluation of a Small-Scale Hybrid Solar Thermal Parabolic Trough System with Auxiliary Gas Heating for Electricity Generation in Nigeria. (2026). Nigerian Journal of Applied Physics, 2(1), 46-61. https://doi.org/10.62292/njap-v2i1-2026-35