ARJEN: A Solar PV–Micro-Hydropower Hybrid System for Rural Electrification in Pipikoro, Central Sulawesi

How can reliable electricity be supplied to remote communities where geographical constraints and limited hydrological data complicate energy planning? This study presents ARJEN (Arunika Jentera), a hybrid smart microgrid model designed for rural electrification in Pipikoro Subdistrict, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The system integrates solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-hydropower (MHPP), and battery energy storage to utilize local renewable resources. The NRECA model was applied to estimate river discharge under limited hydrological data, while HOMER Pro was used to simulate and evaluate the system configuration based on electricity demand and renewable resource availability. The optimized configuration consists of 80 kW of PV capacity, a 20 kW micro-hydropower plant, 300 kWh of lead-acid battery storage, and a 30 kW converter. The simulation yielded an annual electricity production of 217,702 kWh and a renewable fraction of 100%. However, the system recorded an unmet load of 3.52% and a capacity shortage of 3.97%, indicating that renewable generation did not fully satisfy the modeled demand at all times. Annual excess electricity reached approximately 107,926 kWh, highlighting the potential for further refinement of system sizing and energy utilization. These findings demonstrate the technical potential of integrating solar PV and micro-hydropower for remote electrification while identifying supply reliability and excess generation as key considerations for further system improvement.