Evaluation of Solar Energy Resource Potential for Industrial Applications in Borno State Using Meteorological Data

Background: Industrial energy costs in Borno State, North East Nigeria, are among the highest in the country due to heavy dependence on diesel generators amid limited grid supply. Solar energy resource assessment is a prerequisite for industrial PV investment decisions. Aim: This study evaluated the solar energy resource potential for industrial PV applications in Borno State using 10-year meteorological data. Methods: Global horizontal irradiance, direct normal irradiance, and diffuse horizontal irradiance data were obtained from the NASA POWER database for Maiduguri and four other Borno State locations. Monthly and seasonal variability was assessed. HOMER Pro software was used to simulate industrial-scale hybrid PV-diesel systems for a representative 500 kW industrial load. Results: Annual mean GHI in Borno State was 6.51 kWh/m2/day, among the highest in Nigeria. Optimised hybrid PV-diesel simulation showed a 62% reduction in diesel fuel consumption and 34% reduction in cost of energy compared with diesel-only baseline. PV penetration fraction of 70% was optimal. Conclusion: Borno State possesses exceptional solar resources suitable for large-scale industrial PV deployment. The study provides a robust resource base for investment decisions and recommends government incentive frameworks to accelerate industrial solar adoption. Keywords: solar resource assessment, industrial solar, Borno State, HOMER Pro, hybrid energy.