Dust accumulation on solar photovoltaic (PV) panels significantly reduces efficiency, especially in urban environments. This study examines the effect of cement, plaster, and soil-laterite dust on PV performance in Kampala, Uganda. A clean panel served as a control, while experimental panels were exposed to 10 g, 20 g, and 30 g of each dust type, and power output was determined. The results showed a strong negative correlation between dust accumulation and power output, with higher dust concentrations causing greater efficiency losses. Cement dust had the most severe impact (80.6% power reduction at 30 g) due to its fine particle size (1–100 µm) and high calcium oxide (CaO) content (62.75%), forming a dense, opaque layer. Soil-laterite dust, with larger particles (60–2000 µm) and high ferric oxide (Fe ₂ O ₃ ) and aluminium oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ) content, led to a 72.8% power loss, while plaster dust caused a 68.3% decline. These findings highlight the need for regular cleaning, anti-soiling coatings, and improved panel positioning to mitigate dust-related losses.

The discrepancy between the operating and design capacities of solar plants in eastern Uganda is alarming; about 35 % underperformance in solar power generation is observed. The goal of the current study is to minimize this disparity by improving the design models. Considering only cell temperature in the power generation model is responsible for the observed difference in design and operational solar power generated, the present study used a thermocouple to directly measure cell temperature, an anemometer to measure wind speed, and a solar power meter to measure irradiance. These extrinsic factors were used to modify the power generation model based only on cell temperature through the direct correlation of cell temperature, wind speed, and irradiance with solar power generation. Thus, the absence of extrinsic factors (wind speed and irradiance) in the design models is responsible for the colossal drop in solar power generated. Empirically, the missing extrinsic factors were used to transform the implicit solar power model into an explicit model. The development of a solar power generation model, multiple differential models, simulation and experimentation with a pilot solar rig served as alternate model for the prediction of solar power generation. The second-order differential model validated well with empirical solar power generated in Busitema, Mayuge, Soroti, and Tororo study areas based on RMSEs (0.6437, 0.6692, 0.2008, 0.1804, respectively), thus, narrowing the gap between the designed and operational solar power generated. Mayuge and Soroti recorded the highest solar power generation of 9.028 MW compared to Busitema (8.622 MW) and Tororo (8.345 MW), suggesting that it has a conducive site for installing future solar plants. The above results support the use of empirical explicit (triple) and second-order differential models for the design and operation of power plants.

Despite one of the most significant factors reducing photovoltaic (PV) efficiency is still shade of solar panels, the effects of shading vary widely depending on the type, material, and intensity of shading. This study examined the effects of three typical shading materials on the electrical, thermal, and efficiency parameters of an ADH ISO 15 W solar panel erected in Kansanga, Uganda: paper, cloth, and Ficus umbellata leaf. For three months, measurements of current, voltage, irradiance, ambient temperature, and cell temperature were made at 15-min intervals between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Descriptive statistics, efficiency computation, and ANOVA were used to examine the average data. The highest voltage, current, and power output were produced in unshaded situations, according to the results, demonstrating ideal panel performance under full sun exposure. Because of their increased opacity, paper and cloth produced the worst power losses among all shading options; leaf shading, on the other hand, allowed for partial transmission and produced rather moderate savings. More than 94% of the difference in voltage, current, and power was explained by shade, according to an ANOVA, with the paper exhibiting the highest statistical influence across parameters. The results show that even 25% partial shade significantly reduces energy output and modifies thermal behavior, underscoring the vital necessity of minimizing shading and preserving unobstructed panel surfaces in PV installations. These findings offer useful information for PV system installation, design, and shading mitigation techniques in tropical urban settings.

The growth of solar energy infrastructure in Eastern Uganda has not consistently produced optimal levels of solar power because of a complex interplay of environmental and physical factors.In order to quantify the combined effects of crucial factors on solar power generation performance, ambient temperature, cell temperature, wind speed, and solar irradiance, this study presents an empirical model.Experimental data was collected from four operational solar power plants of Busitema, Soroti, Mayuge, and Tororo over a 215-day period by recording key parameters at 15-minute intervals. An empirical model with combined physical factors was developed and evaluated using two solar photovoltaic panels and digital technology for accurate monitoring. Available Model 1 utilizes the use of uncoupled physical factors, as compared to the developed Model 2, which combines coupled physical factors. Due to excellent wind conditions (up to 3.43 m/s), the Mayuge plant produced the most power, demonstrating that Model 2 drastically reduced the gap between design capacity (10 MW) and actual generation.The combined-factor model’s higher accuracy was confirmed by Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) findings.This study demonstrates that regionally coupled empirical modeling is essential for precise forecasts, optimal plant design, and increased solar photovoltaic (PV) system operational efficiency.The suggested approach can direct the development of solar energy infrastructure and policies in Eastern Uganda and other comparable areas across the world.

This study examines Uganda's photovoltaic solar power generation and transmission situation in order to evaluate technical performance, capacity installation, economic viability, and environmental benefits. Solar energy is consistently underutilized in Uganda's energy mix despite the country's equatorial location and high solar irradiation of 5.1 to 6.5 kWh/m ² /day. The study uses a methodical review method based on peer-reviewed literature, national energy reports, mathematical generation and transmission models, and policy documents that evaluate photovoltaic (PV) capacity trends, transmission losses, investment significance, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and CO ₂ emission reductions. Consequently, the findings show Uganda's installed grid-connected solar capacity increased from 51.8 MW in 2019 to 88.4 MW in 2024. Kabulasoke (20 MW), Soroti (10 MW), Tororo (10 MW), Mayuge (10 MW), and Busitema (4 MW) are major installations that are mainly found in high-irradiance eastern and central regions that border eastern Uganda. These systems help cover loads in both off-grid and grid-connected areas, but they are limited by transmission inefficiencies, which are mostly caused by ohmic and corona losses and aging 132 kV lines. As climate change costs from CO ₂ emissions are included in LCOE analysis, PV systems become more competitive due to economic assessment, and installing solar panels offers quantified carbon emission reductions as compared to biomass-based hydropower generation. The study's conclusions suggest that Uganda has substantial technological and economical potential for the expansion of solar power; nevertheless, economic gaps, a lack of energy storage facilities, and transmission challenges limit optimal performance. The implementation of hybrid PV-storage systems, the strengthening of transmission infrastructure, and the introduction of certain regulatory incentives are all essential for improving energy security, minimizing emissions, and promoting sustainable development.

The study investigates Ugandan secondary school teachers' knowledge and implementation of the Lower Secondary Competence-Based Curriculum, using a descriptive survey of 60 secondary school teachers, head teachers. Results demonstrated that most respondents (81.7%) knew about the CBC, mostly because of the Ministry of Education and Sports. Learner-centered teaching practices and competency-based assessment methodologies were well-known to the majority of teachers (95%) who had at least one CBC-related training. Despite this, difficulties like a lack of instructional resources (30.9%), poor training (30%), and time constraints were found to be major challenges for effective implementation. By promoting active and skill-oriented teaching, however, 90% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that CBC improves learning outcomes. The study suggests that despite high awareness of CBC implementation in Uganda's lower secondary schools, successful implementation requires ongoing teacher professional development, improved access to resources, and robust administrative support.