**1.3 Project objective**

460 Solar Radiation

Specific areas of solar technology application has been identified to include electricity supply during power outages, telephone installations, industrial sector and drying of agricultural and forestry products like cocoa, timber etc (Akarakiri and Ilori, 2003). For instance, in Nigeria, Nitel powered the Ugonoba and the Gewadabawa repeater stations in 1997; more than 50

Solar energy has been limited mainly to low grade thermal applications in the Sub Saharan African region. For instance over 10,000 units of solar water heaters have been installed in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South African (Akarakiri and Ilori, 2003). A project funded by the Agency for International Development (AID) in Tangaye, Africa provides fresh water and

Several researches have been undertaken concerning the direct generation of electricity using the heat produced from nuclear reactors, kerosene lamps, firewood and biomass. The development of improved materials, use of multi-junction devices and novel cell designs to capture a higher proportion of the solar spectrum and use of concentration (Fresnel) lenses to focus the sunlight to

The study of thermoelectric materials is a very active area of modern research that combines aspects of physical chemistry, solid state physics, and materials science. A thermoelectric material is a material that converts heat to electricity and vice versa. The main motivation for studying thermoelectricity is to find ways to improve their performance to better implement them in practical systems. The concept of thermoelectricity, a process that converts heat energy into electrical energy by using the Seebeck effect, has been used in

Thermoelectric phenomenon has also been utilized for the accurate measurement of temperature by means of a thermocouple in which a junction of two dissimilar wires is maintained at a known reference temperature (for example, in an ice bath) and the other junction at the location where the temperature is to be measured. At moderate temperatures (up to about 260C /500F), wire combinations of iron and copper, iron and constantan (a copper-nickel alloy), and copper and constantan are frequently used. At high temperatures (up to 1649C/3000 F), wires made from platinum and a platinum-rhodium alloy are

Lertsatitthanakorn (2007) investigated the feasibility of adding a commercial TE module made of bismuth-telluride based materials to the stove's side-wall, thereby creating a TE generator system that utilizes a proportion of the stove's waste heat. The results showed that the system generates approximately 2.4 W when the temperature difference is 150 0C. This generated power is enough to run a small radio or a low power incandescent light bulb. Other research works (Rowe, 2006, Lertsatitthanakorn, 2007) were conducted in order to investigate the feasibility of using a TE generator in an improved biomass fired stove already developed.

The main motivation for studying thermoelectrics is to find ways to improve their performance for better implementation in agricultural systems (Champier *et al*., 2009). In areas with unreliable electricity supply, the feasibility of adding a commercial thermoelectric (TE) module to stove design is being investigated (Rowe, 2006). Nuwayhid *et* 

repeater stations in the Nigerian Network were powered by PV systems (Coker, 2004).

runs a grain mill for commercial production of flour (Maycock and Stirewait, 1981).

high efficiency cells are areas of rapid development (Duffie, and Beckman, 1976).

**1.2 Specific areas of thermoelectricity applications** 

**1.1 Solar energy applications** 

agricultural operations.

employed (Encycl. Britannica, 1987).

Demands for energy in agricultural production processes, especially in poultry production processes and other agro-forestry processes, are growing worldwide. In animal husbandry, light is an important aspect of the animal's environment. Avian species as well as mammalian species respond to light energy in a variety of ways for growth and reproductive performance. Acceptable system economic performances through extension services (Okelola *et al.,* 2011) and system analysis (Nuwayhid *et al.,* 2005) have been demonstrated at various levels. Despite the growing worldwide demand for energy in agricultural production processes, there has been an increase in production costs coupled with depletion of nonrenewable energy resources; therefore alternative and more attractive solar energy sources becomes imperative.

The concept of thermoelectricity using asphalt heating was employed in the development of TEG for lighting in agricultural projects such as small scale poultry house. The aim is to investigate the potentials of thermocouples embedded in asphalt (heat absorber) for electricity generation and application in agricultural projects.
