An Improved Secure C...

The persistent challenges of unreliable electricity supply and increasing energy demand in Nigeria have accelerated the adoption of decentralized renewable energy systems, particularly solar photovoltaic technologies. Peer-to-peer (P2P) solar energy trading has emerged as a viable solution that enables prosumers to trade excess energy directly with consumers within localized networks. However, the effectiveness of P2P energy trading systems is highly dependent on the security and reliability of their communication infrastructures, as decentralized platforms are vulnerable to cyber threats such as unauthorized access, data tampering, and impersonation attacks. This study therefore focuses on the design and evaluation of an improved secure communication system for peer-to-peer solar energy trading in Nigeria. The study adopted a design-and-implementation research approach, incorporating cryptographic authentication, secure message encryption, transaction validation, and distributed ledger technology to enhance system security. Simulation-based experiments were conducted to evaluate system performance using metrics such as authentication time, transaction latency, security robustness, and scalability. The results indicate that the proposed system significantly improves authentication security and data integrity while maintaining acceptable transaction latency for real-time energy trading. The system also demonstrated resilience against common cyberattacks and stable performance as the number of participants increased. The study concludes that an improved secure communication system is essential for the successful deployment of peer-to-peer solar energy trading in Nigeria. By enhancing trust, transparency, and data security, the proposed system supports sustainable energy trading and contributes to the broader goal of improving energy access through decentralized renewable energy solutions.