Sustainable Energy Solutions: Solar-Wind Hybrid Microgrid for Rural Electrification

This research study presents the development of an off-grid microgrid for a remote, riverside village in Rajshahi District, Bangladesh, lacking access to conventional electricity. Given the village’s abundant renewable resources and its geographical positioning, this research employs HOMER Pro software to analyze the feasibility and sustainability of various energy configurations. Among the evaluated setups—solar PV panels, wind turbines (WT), and a combination of both with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)—the hybrid system comprising all three components emerged as the most effective. The proposed system is designed to cater to a population of 2,500 across 850 households. The configuration ensures an optimal balance between cost-efficiency and reliability, achieving a Net Present Cost (NPC) of USD 261,299 and a Cost of Electricity (COE) of USD 0.0446 per kWh, with an annual operating cost of USD 3,543. The energy production is primarily dominated by solar power, contributing 81.9% (241,767 kWh/yr), supplemented by wind energy at 18.1% (53,397 kWh/yr) to meet the village’s load demand. This study demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of integrating solar and wind energy systems for sustainable and reliable rural electrification, offering a model for similar projects in developing regions worldwide.