Study of the Trends in Sunshine Duration Hours in Nigeria During 1961 - 2012 using the Linear Regression Model

The trends in sunshine duration hours in Nigeria during 1961-2012 are presented in the context of renewable energy. The study is based on measurement and observation data from 20 meteorological stations across different climatic belts in Nigeria. The basic data which comprise monthly mean daily sunshine duration hours were obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. The trend analysis was based on the linear regression model using the least squares method.7 Stations indicate downward trends with only 4 stations indicating significant downward trends at the 1 % and 5 % levels.13 Stations show upward trends with 7 stations indicating significant upward trends at 1 % and 5 % levels. The results indicate that solar energy resource is a strong candidate in Nigeria as alternative energy solution. The results equally appear to be hinting at the possibility of an impact of anthropogenic aerosols emissions on the dynamics of atmospheric circulations at synoptic scales.