Feasibility Study of a Solar-Biogas System for Off-Grid Applications

Distributed renewable energy technologies are increasingly becoming important options in the transition of the worlds energy infrastructure. There has been a sharp decrease in the price of photovoltaic (PV) technologies globally in recent years as a result of significant technology improvements and mass manufacturing. The trend is expected to continue in future making this clean technology more attractive economically. This paper presents the potential of a renewable-based energy system to meet the energy demand of a rural based institution. The proposed system consists of a biogas generator, PV and battery storage system. The main objective is to maximize use of the PV system during the day and compensate for its variability and absence at night times by incorporating battery storage and a biogas generator set. The analysis is verified by simulation using HOMER Pro Software and the results indicate the proposed system would be a feasible solution for energy provision at such institutions and in rural communities.