PV-Diesel Hybrid System Assessment for Rural Village Electrification in Lubuk Batu, Kemaman, East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

In this study, three systems of alternative energy has been proposed to replace existing 32 kW diesel generator for supplying 24 hours electricity to rural residents in Lubuk Batu, East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The three systems are PV/diesel with battery, PV/diesel without battery and standalone PV/battery system. HOMER software is used to determine the ability of these systems based on the initial cost of the project, the total net present cost, cost of energy and the total electricity energy production. From the results of the analysis, it was discovered that standalone PV/battery system is the best model to replace the existing system. This system was chosen due to the ability of supplying electricity with sufficient amount of 47,850 kWh/yr with low initial cost ( RM 327,000 ) and the lowest net present cost ( RM 687,079 ) among other systems. While the highest energy production of 47,850 kWh in a year at the lowest cost of energy of RM 2.768/ kWh is sufficient to express that this system also can work without depending on the price of diesel.