Feasibility study of the hybrid biogas-photovoltaic energy system in poultry and swine farms

This paper aims to evaluate the use of a hybrid photovoltaic-biogas grid-connected system in a rural property at Rio Verde region. The study focused on technical and cost issues of a rural property with swine and chicken production, located in the state of Goiás, Brazil. A comparative analysis of the costs of the hybrid system after optimization was made using HOMER© (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables) software. The analysis shows that the optimal system’s initial cost, net present cost, electricity cost with the photovoltaic-biogas on grid system is US$ 280.180, US$ 661.682, and 0,082 US$.kWh-1, respectively. The main cost of the hybrid photovoltaic-biogas energy system consists of the biogas generator, biodigesters, inverters with the photovoltaic modules. In the short term, the implementation of the hybrid photovoltaic biogas system in the region is an interesting alternative for farmers considering the sustainability of agribusiness.