The Effect of Relative Humidity on the Solar Radiation Intensity in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted on the effects of relative humidity on the solar radiation intensity in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The data for this research work was obtained from the Nigerian Environmental Climatic Observatory Project Station (NECOP) situated at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The average solar radiation and relative humidity data from January to March 2018 were collated on daily, weekly and monthly intervals. The results obtained showed that average relative humidity is 61.20% for January, 71.89% for February and 74.18% for March 2018. While the average solar radiation intensity is 77.339 W/m² for January, 77.000 W/m² for February, and 71.297 W/m² for March 2018. The maximum average relative humidity occurred in the month of March, signifying a steady increase in the rainy season period. The increase in average relative humidity gives rise to a decrease in solar radiation and vice versa. This depicts an inverse relationship between humidity and solar radiation intensity.