DESIGNING TECHNO-ECONOMIC OFF-GRID PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM USING AN IMPROVED DIFFERENTIAL EVOLUTION ALGORITHM

Conventional power generation is one of the main contributors to phenomenon greenhouse effect. This has led a diversification electricity sources including environmentally friendly energy such as solar energy. Off-grid PV systems have gained some traction due their cost-effectiveness for rural communities. However, intermittent nature challenge developing off-grid system. Moreover, high capital cost well storage batteries becomes concern all users. Thus, this study aims optimize size system and battery simultaneously design cost-effective photovoltaic considering various aspects power, irradiance, panel selection while ensuring reliability. The proposed was optimized using improved Differential Evolution (DE) its effectiveness tested by comparing results with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Genetic Algorithm (GA). Improved DE algorithm provides highest average savings compared other algorithms, which $500 per year. It recommended that method very useful in optimization systems, uncertainties affect performance.