Simulation and Optimization of Solar Photovoltaic-Wind Stand Alone Hybrid System in Hilly Terrain of India

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are clean sources and can meet the energy demand without causing any pollution to the environment. Wind and solar energy have good potential to replace the conventional sources, however, the stochastic behavior of both these energy sources, is a major drawback Therefore, the integration of solar and wind energy systems into a hybrid system improves the reliability, reduces the energy storage, and overcomes the over sizing problem. The main objective of this study is to utilize the available wind and solar resource to meet the energy needs of residential / institutional buildings in Western Himalayan Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. In the present study, a 6 kWp solar-wind hybrid system installed on the roof top of an institutional building is analyzed and optimized using HOMER software at different reliability levels. The total electricity production by the installed system is found to be 1996 kWh/yr with cost of energy (COE) as $1.156/kWh in which 61% contribution is from PV array and 39% from wind turbine with annual capacity shortage of 24%. The techno-economic characteristics of existing and optimum hybrid system configurations for 0%, 5%, 10 and 20% maximum capacity shortage are studied. The various optimized system configurations for this system based on the reliability are identified. The effect of maximum annual capacity on system parameters is evaluated by sensitivity analysis. A 2 kWp PV system with 1 string of 10 batteries is found to be more economical than the existing system, with COE as $0.575/kWh with 8% capacity shortage. However, in order to utilize both solar and wind resources, the optimum combination, is found to be 5kWp wind turbine, 2kWp PV system with a string of 10 batteries having COE as $ 1.051/kWh with 3.1% capacity shortage. The results of the study indicate that the solar and wind resource can be utilized economically by utilizing solar -wind hybrid energy systems for decentralized applications in the Western Himalayan complex terrain. Further research areas are also identified along with some limitations of HOMER software.