Optimal cost analysis of wind-solar hybrid system powered AC and DC irrigation pumps using HOMER

This paper presents the optimal cost analysis of wind-solar hybrid systems connected to DC and AC irrigation pumps. HOMER software is used for optimizing the systems components based on load profiles and wind-solar energy potentials at the Bagalkot, India. AC load profile is considered constant for seven hours/day and DC load profile is obtained by conducting performance tests on 1 HP DC pump installed in Energy Park, Basaveshwar Engineering College (Autonomous), Bagalkot, India. Developed HOMER model include SPV panels and two DC wind turbine generators for generation. Optimal configurations of wind-solar capacities are listed by considering Total Net Present Cost as objective function. Cost and electricity generation are compared and analyzed. It is observed that, annual electricity generated by both systems is nearly equal. However, cost comparison of AC and DC loads indicate that, for renewable energy powered small scale irrigation systems, AC pumps leads to uneconomic results and excess generation. On other hand, DC pumps prove to be economic and reliable.