FOREWORD

1. INTRODUCTION

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) recently emphasized its commitment to clean energy. The region has signed three contracts to build solar power plants in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok, targeting a total capacity of 350 MW to extend electricity supply hours (Shafaq-News, 2025). Moreover, the Ministry of Education announced that 81 regional schools are now supplied with 24-hour solar-generated electricity (KRG, 2025).

It is well established that the global energy supply is still largely dependent on fossil fuels, such as petroleum, natural gas, and oil. Fuel combustion or power generation from these fuels constitutes the primary source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These fuels are the main contributors to climate change due to the release of GHGs (Akram et al., 2018; Shahveran & Yousefi, 2025). To ensure a secure planet and enhance the quality of life for all organisms, innovative, clean, and renewable energy sources (RESs) and associated technologies are being researched, developed, and deployed globally (Mawlood & Hamarash, 2023).

Renewable energy sources encompass solar energy (SE), wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. Solar radiation refers to the total radiant energy emitted by the sun; whereas, solar irradiation denotes the quantity of solar radiation received per unit area, expressed in kW/m² (Mawlood & Hamarash, 2023). In addition to economic factors, usability and logistical practicality of fuel-less generation methods make renewable hybrid systems (HSs) a practical solution for meeting energy needs in rural areas, especially in developing countries. Integrating renewable energy (RE) generation methods, like a hybrid solar-wind power generation system, may enhance the reliability of RESs, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency (Karimi, 2014). Photovoltaic (PV) systems are classified into two categories: grid-connected (on-grid) and standalone (off-grid) systems (Ramoliya, 2015).

On-grid PV systems provide power straight to the utility grid, functioning simultaneously with traditional energy sources. These models generate clean electricity near the point of consumption, eliminating the necessity for batteries and mitigating transmission and distribution losses. Due to the electricity constraints in Kurdistan Region, battery backups have been used in both off-grid and grid-connected PV systems in this research. Some studies have concentrated on the planning and designing grid-connected PV systems, with some exclusively addressing On-grid systems that integrate PV designs with no energy storage options.

Qasim et al. (2025) developed a hybrid power model integrating PV panels, wind turbines (WTs), battery energy storage, and a diesel generator (DG) to provide sustainable and economical electricity to isolated areas in Iraq. The design generated approximately 90.1 MWh annually, diminishing reliance on traditional energy sources. Aktacir and Sadiq (2025) performed a case study in Dohuk, Iraq, where the national grid suffers from recurrent outages attributed to insufficient infrastructure. Incorporating an on-grid PV system with energy storage decreased the electricity cost from $0.022 to $0.010 per kWh. The system achieves a payback period of 4.5 years, underscoring significant economic benefits compared to traditional energy sources.

Salim and Rashed (2025) designed a hybrid off-grid power system for the Al-Taib region in eastern Iraq, including PV panels, WTs, DG, and battery storage. The system was engineered to deliver a sustainable and economical power supply to the city while diminishing dependence on fossil fuels. Ren et al. (2016) investigated a grid-connected hybrid PV/DG/battery system for the electricity of houses. Their findings indicated that electricity buy-back mechanisms significantly influenced the system's performance. Mohamed et al. (2017) optimised a grid-connected PV/wind configuration using the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm and concluded that the proposed model was economically feasible.

Ndwali et al. (2020) employed mixed integer linear programming (MILP) to optimise a grid-integrated PV design, reporting an energy saving of approximately 64.16%. Kim et al. (2014) studied grid-connected and stand-alone HS designs. The most suitable HS was identified as an on-grid configuration consisting of a wind turbine, PV panels, and a battery. Based on financial, environmental, and technical criteria, this assessment was conducted for a hybrid energy model installed on a South Korean island. Usman et al. (2024) developed a grid-connected hybrid microgrid comprising solar PV panels, WTs, and grid integration for the village of Chittorgarh in India. The system was engineered to provide dependable, sustainable, and economical energy, generating approximately 58,772,300 kWh per year to mitigate the issues of inconsistent power supply in the area. Alghamdi et al. (2018) presented an optimisation approach for energy cost reduction in grid-connected PV/battery systems, applying the methodology to a case study in the Brazilian Amazon region. Aziz et al. (2022) evaluated the optimal design of a Grid-connected PV/battery system capable of fulfilling the load requirements of homes in Iraq. Al-Shammari et al. (2021) assessed the feasibility of employing diesel, battery packs, wind, and SE for Al-Faw, a city in southern Iraq near Kuwait. Their study involved seven hybrid energy model scenarios, among which the configuration incorporating wind, diesel, battery, and converters demonstrated the lowest cost of energy (COE) and net present cost (NPC).

Hussain et al. (2021) evaluated the design of an on-grid PV system implemented at the Diyala Police Directorate, Iraq. The study concentrated on the economic assessment by providing the requisite electricity for local demand and sending extra energy to the national power grid with enhanced efficiency and reduced losses. Omar (2025) proposed the (solar/Battery/DG) HS as the most effective power option for rural electrification across the Northern West Bank, balance between cost-efficiency, dependability, and environmental sustainability.

Al-Sarraj et al. (2020) conducted a study on HS consisting of wind, solar, DG, and grid components for a station at the University of Nahra, Baghdad, Iraq. Two designs were created, one incorporating a sellback price and the other excluding it. The results indicated that the HS with the sellback option was the most suitable design. Kazem et al. (2017) proposed the design and evaluated a hybrid wind/solar/ DG /battery system in terms of emissions and cost for the remote island of Masirah in Oman.

HOMER software calculates the system size and lifetime cost of all the studies above. Meanwhile, Mahmood (2019) proposed an independent PV design to ensure uninterrupted power supply for electrical loads throughout the operational hours of three labs at Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad. The simulation was carried out utilizing the Pvsyst6 tool suite.

Previous literature reviews indicate that numerous studies have been conducted to identify the optimal hybrid energy system designs. These studies assess techno-economic feasibility and environmental benefits through various design scenarios and comparative analyses. HOMER Pro has proven to be a valuable tool in achieving these objectives. HOMER was employed in this study as one of the most widely used, open-source, and user-friendly platforms for hybrid energy system design. The present energy provision at the College of Science in Zakho University is wholly dependent on DGs and grid electricity, yielding a renewable proportion of 0%. This study aims to evaluate the effects of incorporating wind and solar PV panels into the power supply for the College of Science building at Zakho University. To reduce diesel consumption, mitigate environmental pollution, and enhance economic viability. The strategy provides substantial financial benefits, realising cost reductions and recouping its initial investment over time. The project improves dependence on RES, offering a more environmentally friendly and economically feasible energy option for the building.

Study Area:

The College of Science of the University of Zakho is located in Zakho city, a short distance from the Iraqi-Turkish border. It is at coordinates 37°6’48.00” N, 42°40’9.01” E. Figure 1 shows the location of the study. The Zakho district has varied weather patterns, with a median annual rainfall of 66.5 mm. Summers are arid and sweltering, occasionally attaining temperatures of 40 ℃ in July, and winters are temperate at 1.9℃ in January.

The average wind velocity is around 5.2 km/h, with a relative humidity of 44.9 % (Ali, 2018). In Zakho, Global SRD levels reach their zenith in June and July, demonstrating the highest monthly averages, while December and January exhibit the smallest levels. The average monthly sunlight hours vary from 7.42 throughout winter to 14.11 during summer (Keya et al., 2023). Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) is a critical parameter for evaluating solar energy potential in flat-plate PV systems and concentrating technologies. The annual GHI in the study area is 1867.2 kWh/m², which falls within the optimal range for SE generation.

Grid Electricity:

Based on available data, the electricity supply in the Kurdistan Region is currently irregular. Due to high demand, the system provides energy for 10 to 12 hours daily, averaging three hours every interval. Electricity prices in the region vary according to consumption. The current cost for residential use ranges from $0.013 to $0.183 /kWh, based on consumption levels, while the rate for government facilities is $0.061/kWh. This pricing mechanism is anticipated to change soon. According to the Project-Runaki (2025)The project, planned for completion by the end of 2026, aims to provide 24/7 electricity to the entire region. New rates will be applied across the region. According to this plan, the cost of residential electricity will range from $0.054 to $0.267 /kWh, whereas the government facilities will be charged $0.091 /kWh (Project-Runaki, 2025).

System Design Specification and Cost Estimation

Solar PV Module:

The Jinko solar panel PV system is selected with an annual average of 5.11 kWh/m²/day. The ideal angle of azimuth for Zakho is 32 degrees (Ahmed et al., 2024). Each PV module delivers 720 watts; however, the energy supply is contingent upon sun availability. The price of the PV panel is around $150 (based on the local market in Duhok, Kurdistan Region). The annual operating and maintenance (O&M) cost is estimated at $10, with a derating factor of 88%. The manufacturer specifies a lifespan of 30 years for this PV panel system. Table 3 presents the cost inputs for the solar panel.

Table 3: Cost inputs for PV modules.

Type	Jinko flat plate PV
Lifetime	30 years
Derating factor	88 %
Efficiency	17.8%
Capital cost	$150
Installation cost	$100
O & M	$ 10 /year

Wind Turbine:

The XANT M-24 Wind Turbine is selected based on the average wind speed of 5.29 m/s at an elevation of 38 m. It generates 95 kW of alternating power. The amount of electricity produced is contingent upon wind speed variations and availability. The annual set-up and O&M costs are estimated at $32,000 and $300, respectively. The operational lifespan of this turbine is 20 years (Akhtari & Karlström, 2019)). Table 4 displays the cost inputs for the WT.

Table 4: Wind turbine cost inputs.

Type	XANT M-24 [95kw]
Lifetime	20 years
Hub height	38 m
Capital cost	$ 32000
Installation cost	$ 32000
O & M	$ 300/year

Battery:

A battery bank is recommended as a backup device and energy storage solution. The chosen battery for this design is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LIP) with a nominal voltage of 48 V, a maximum capacity of 2100 Ampere-hours (Ah), and a nominal capacity of 101 kWh. The capital and installation costs for a single unit of this battery have been estimated at around $18,180. (Akhtari & Karlström, 2019). The cost inputs for the storage battery are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Storage battery cost inputs.

Type	Lithium Iron Phosphate
Lifetime	Lifetime 10 years
Nominal Capacity	101 kWh
initial cost	$ 18,180
replacement cost	$ 18,180.
O & M	$ 0

onverter Arrangement:

The converter can convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), and vice versa, indicating that the converter operates as a rectifier or an inverter. In the design model, changing the DC voltage supplied by the PV modules and batteries is necessary, as AC loads utilize the energy. So, in this research, a 100-kW converter was used for conversion purposes. The capital cost and Replacement cost are estimated at $171/ kW, with O&M cost of $4/ kW/ year. The lifespan is 15 years. Table 6 displays the cost inputs for the converter.

Table 6: Converter cost inputs.

Type	System converter (100 kW)
Lifetime	15 years
Efficiency	95%
Capital cost	$171/ kw
Replacement cost	$171/ kw
O & M	$ 4/ kw/ year

Diesel Generator (DG)

The Generic 500 kW Fixed Capacity Generator Set DG has been chosen for this model in the HOMER program. This generator's initial and replacement costs are estimated at $150,000 and $100,000, respectively, while the annual O&M is $5,000. The fuel price in Iraq is approximately $0.50 per litre. The generator emits carbon dioxide at a rate of 13.566 g/L of fuel and has a lifespan of 15,000 hours. Table 7 displays the cost inputs for the DG.

Analysed Cases:

Two cases were examined to provide energy to the Faculty of Science at the University of Zakho, utilising various energy sources.

a) Case 1:

In this case, PV, WT, and the grid provided power to the load. This instance included grid-tied PV, WT, battery storage, and a converter, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Schematic diagram of the grid-connected PV system.

b) Case 2

In this case, PV, WT, and DG supplied power to the load independently of the grid. This scenario featured PV, WT, DG, battery storage, and converters, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7: Schematic diagram of a stand-alone PV system.

2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Optimisation Results:

College of Science building at Zakho University. Figure 8 illustrates the overall expenditures for both cases. Consequently, case (1), including PV, wind, grid power, battery storage, and converters, represents the most economically viable design among both scenarios. The NPC for the on-grid model is $295,544; whereas, for the stand-alone design it is $699,146.20. The off-grid power architecture for the identical load is more costly ($403,602) than the on-grid system. For the on-grid design, the simulated COE in this study is $0.0194/kWh, which is lower than the $0.0435/kWh COE of the most economical among the four systems assessed in the study done at the College of Engineering, University of Baghdad by (Abdullah & Habbi, 2024).

It is also more cost-effective than the $0.0890/kWh COE, which signifies the most inexpensive COE among the systems optimised by KABAO and Omar (2023) for the schools in the eight regions of Duhok province.

An optimal number of RES is activated for the off-grid model to provide power to meet the load. The LCOE of stand-alone design is $0.159 /kWh, which is lower than the best scenario for the Electrical Engineering Technical College (EETC) in Baghdad, Iraq, where the LCOE is $0.372/kWh, as stated by Ibrahim et al., (2023). It is also less expensive than the COE of $0.236/kWh for the College of Engineering at Al-Nahrain University in Baghdad, Iraq, as reported by Mahmood et al. (2020).

Tables 8 and 9 contain the cost summary for both designs, detailing the economic performance of the essential components of the on-grid configuration, including capital cost (C. Cap.), operating and maintenance cost (C. O&M), replacement Cost (C. Rep.), and salvage costs (C_. Sal.) for each component in the two arrangements.

The total capital cost of the on-grid design is $451,508, whereas for the standalone model, it is $553,479. Furthermore, based on HOMER, the simple payback period for the grid-tied design is 7.9 years, whereas for the stand-alone configuration, it is 5.7 years. Additionally, both designs are designed to minimize reliance on fossil fuels. The first case presents a more economical alternative owing to the lack of construction expenditures for the grid infrastructure. Moreover, it facilitates selling more energy to the grid than is purchased.

Figure 8: Costs related to the system for each case.

Table 8: Cost Summary of the Model (for On-Grid System).

COMPONENT	C. Cap. ($)	C. O&M ($)	C. Rep. ($)	C_. Sal. ($)	Total ($)
Grid	0.00	-268,573	$0.00	0.00	-268,573
JINKO PV	132,510	114,202	$0.00	-3,527	243,185
LIP Battery	218,160	33.04	$0.00	-50,955	167,238
Converter	68,838	20,817	$29,206	-5,497	113,364
WT [95kw]	32,000	3,878	$10,202	-5,749	40,331
Total	451,508	-129,643	$39,408	-65,729	295,544

Table 9: Cost Summary of the Model (for stand-alone design).

COMPONENT	C. Cap. ($)	C. O&M ($)	C. Rep. ($)	C. Sal. ($)	C. Fuel ($)	Total ($)
DG (500kw)	150,000	14,220	0.00	-15,172	57,486	206,535
JINKO PV	88,542	76,308	0.00	-2,357	0.00	162,493
LIP Battery	218,160	33.04	0.00	-35,081	0.00	183,112
Converter	64,777	19,588	27,483	-5,173	0.00	106,676
WT (95kw)	32,000	3,878	10,202	-5,749	0.00	40,331
Total	553,479	114,028	37,685	-63,532	57,486	699,146

CONCLUSION

This study modelled both grid-connected and standalone PV systems for the College of Science at the University of Zakho, Iraq, utilizing HOMER Pro software. The findings demonstrate that the grid-dependent HS including PV panels, wind turbines, and battery storage is more suitable than the off-grid configuration (PV, DG, wind turbine, and battery) for identical load requirements, owing to its markedly reduced COE of $0.0194/ kWh, in contrast to $0.159/ kWh for the off-grid system. Alongside its lower COE, the grid-tied model demonstrates a reduced NPC compared to the off-grid design. Moreover, the study indicates that the on-grid system comprises 96% renewable energy, and the stand-alone model has 91.2%, illustrating high reliance on clean energy in both scenarios. Concerning the environment, both models possess beneficial attributes for ecosystem preservation.

Finally, a hybrid energy system is strongly recommended to enhance energy stability and reduce the reliance on harmful gases. This would facilitate clean energy planning for university campuses in a country that relies heavily on conventional energy sources. Hopefully, this study will motivate authorities to prioritize renewable energy development in KRG /Iraq, which possesses substantial solar and wind resources suitable for primary electricity generation.

Acknowledgments:

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Environmental Science Department and the Department of Physics at the University of Zakho. This research benefited from the use of laboratory facilities and technical expertise of both departments.

Funding to the study:

This research received no specific funding from public, commercial, or non-profit organisations.

Authors Contribution Details:

B. S. S, as the primary author, conducted data collection, designed the system, performed data analysis, and carried out optimisation processes. K. M. Y., as the supervisor, conceptualised the study, designed the methodology, contributed to data interpretation, and critically reviewed and edited the manuscript.

Ethical Statement:

The Ethical Committee of the College of Science at the University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, approved the current experiment.

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* Corresponding author

This is an open access under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)

parameter	Value	Unit
Maximum power requirement	557	kW
Peak daily energy consumption	934	kWh/day
Annual energy consumption	211,586	kWh/year

Input	Condition
Meteorological Data	Natural assets, namely solar radiation, wind velocity, and temperature.
Load Profile	Electricity demand that the energy system must fulfil within a designated period. Specifically, loads from villages, hospitals, schools, and colleges.
Component Characteristics	Any design component that produces, transmits, transforms, or retains electricity, namely, PV modules, a DG, an inverter, and batteries.
Economic Data	optimisation and simulation phases encompass specific costs linked to each piece of equipment, including capital, replacement, maintenance, and overall project costs such as fixed capital, maintenance, and fines associated with emissions. The NPC for each configuration is calculated based on these expenditures.
Search Space	Diversity in the size of each component for optimisation.
Controller	Technical information encompassing the dispatch plan and operational reserve.

Pollutant	Off-grid design (kg/y)	On-grid design (kg/y)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)	23,321	29,769
Carbon monoxide (CO)	121	0
UHC	6.40	0
Particulate matter (PM)	1.03	0
Sulphur dioxide (SO2)	57	129
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)	23.1	63.1

Type	Generic 500 kW Fixed Capacity Genset
Lifetime	15000 hours
Capital cost	$ 150,000
Replacement cost	$ 100,000
O & M	$ 5,000 (per op. Hour)