Optimization of the off-grid systems based on renewable energy for power supply in rural areas

In rural areas where access to a power grid often is not available off-grid systems are only solution for a power supply of the consumers. For the micro scale loads (such as cottages) diesel or gasoline generators are usually used. To avoid usage of fossil fuels and to avoid greenhouse gases emission renewable energy sources are very suitable for off-grid systems. In this paper optimization of the renewable energy sources based off-grid system for usage in rural areas is presented. Optimization is performed for different scenarios of capacity shortage value. Goal of the optimization is to find a system with minimum net present cost (NPC). Influence of the different operation and maintenance cost scenarios on the NPC is considered. Two cases in the paper are considered. In the first case optimization of the off-grid system is performed for the micro scale consumers such as houses, cottages etc. In the second case optimization of the off-grid system is performed for the small-scale consumers in rural areas such as small villages which can help in set up of small energy communities. Optimizations are performed using HOMER software.