Characterization and Numerical Analysis of the Silicon Content in Alau Dam Sand for Solar Photovoltaic Application

Tahiru M., Maina M. B., Muhammad A. B., Shuwa M.

Abstract


This study dwells on the characterization and numerical analysis of sand from Alau Dam for the development of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The study utilized various analytical techniques such as X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Potential of Hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and MATLAB simulations to characterize the properties of the sand sample. The study revealed that the sand has a silicon atomic concentration of 86.16% and Silicon weight concentration of 85.43%. The simulation analysis also shows that with the Silicon concentration of 86.16% and under normal operational conditions, at maximum solar radiation of 1000W/m2, a panel produced from Alau Dam Sand can generate an energy output of about 173.34W.  It was found that Alau Dam’s sand shows a promising future due to its higher Silicon content and might require additional processing or blending with higher silicon sources for optimal panel manufacturing.


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