Integrating Solar and Biomass Energy for Sustainable Off-Grid Power Solutions in Adadu Community, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This study examines the viability of integrating photovoltaic and biomass energy in the Adadu community, Nigeria. HOMER Pro v3.14.5 was used to model a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) capable of consistently supplying power to 280 households with an estimated load of 264,781 kWh, a 5.3785 kWh/m²/day solar radiation, and an 8 tons/day biomass potential. The HRES includes a 733.23 kW PV module with a 177% penetration rate, an 800-kW biomass generator producing 69,508 kWh annually, a 482.49 kW converter, and two battery types (ABB-P3 and ABB-M1). Five optimal system combinations were simulated based on renewable fraction, initial capital cost, net present cost (NPC), operating cost, and cost of energy (COE). The ABB-M1 storage system emerged as the most viable option, with an NPC of $1.97 million, a COE of $0.0467, 4.72 kg/h of CO₂ emissions, and a 100% renewable fraction. This approach can be replicated in similar rural areas globally, offering cleaner energy alternatives and leveraging untapped renewable resources. The optimal HRES significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to diesel-only systems, making it a sustainable solution for rural electrification. However, the study is limited to techno-economic modeling and does not fully account for environmental life-cycle impacts, socio-political dynamics, or future demand growth. Future research should incorporate these aspects and investigate additional renewable options and smart grid applications to enhance resilience, scalability, and long-term sustainability.