Techno-Economic Optimization of a Hybrid Solar-Wind-Diesel Power System for Rural Electrification Using HOMER

Rural electrification remains a significant challenge in many developing regions due to limited grid accessibility and high infrastructure costs. Hybrid renewable energy systems have emerged as a sustainable and reliable alternative for supplying electricity to remote communities. This paper presents the techno-economic optimization of a hybrid solar-wind-diesel power system designed for a rural village comprising 1100 households. The proposed system integrates photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, a diesel generator, and battery storage to ensure continuous power supply under varying load and environmental conditions. The results indicate that the optimal configuration is a hybrid system of solar PV, wind turbines, a diesel generator, and battery storage, achieving a renewable energy contribution of approximately 76% while reducing operational costs and fuel dependence. The study demonstrates that hybrid renewable energy systems can provide a reliable, economically feasible, and environmentally sustainable solution for rural electrification.