Optimizing Hybrid Energy Systems: A Simulation Study of Diesel and Solar Integration for Rural Electrification

This study addresses a critical challenge faced by the Iranian government: the decline in urban populations and the migration of small agricultural industries to rural areas. To mitigate these effects, distributed electricity generation offers significant benefits, particularly through reduced energy losses and transmission costs. A hybrid energy solution integrating solar power plants (SPPs) and diesel generators (DGs) is proposed, leveraging the substantial solar energy production potential in several rural regions of Iran. Using PVsyst software, we identified a cost-effective location for photovoltaic (PV) energy generation, followed by simulations conducted with EMTP-RV software to develop an electrical schematic for the selected village. This included technical specifications for Stamford Company generators, Sharp Company inverters, and Jinko Solar modules. Our findings provide valuable insights into sustainable rural electrification (SRE) strategies in Iran, emphasizing the effectiveness of hybrid energy systems (HESs) in enhancing rural energy accessibility.