Title: Techno-economic Analysis of a Stand-alone Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid System for Rural Area in Sarawak
Abstract: The majority of the population in West Malaysia has access to the electricity grid.However, some of the population in rural areas in the east region do not yet have access to sustained electricity and traditionally rely on diesel generators as well as small-scale renewable energy electrification.Although the electricity access rate in Malaysia is 100% nationally, there still remain pockets of rural areas, especially in the states of Sabah and Sarawak, without access to modern energy infrastructure [1].The rural community usually uses diesel generators for the electrification of the areas, but such solution has disadvantages such as high fuel and maintenance costs [2].The limited hours of generator operation limit any significant activity for socio-economic improvement due to the price of diesel and maintenance issue.Electricity will bring light to these communities which results in improvements in education, health and communication; and it surely