The need for clean, renewable energy sources is growing as decentralized power generation gains popularity due to its ability to provide reliable power to remote areas and reduce transmission losses. This paper compares three popular renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and biomass—evaluating their feasibility, efficiency, costs, environmental impact, and sustainability in the context of decentralized power generation. Findings indicate that while each energy source has distinct advantages and challenges, a hybrid approach combining multiple sources may offer optimal reliability and efficiency for decentralized power systems. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of solar, wind, and biomass energy as options for decentralized power generation, assessing each technology’s strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications. As the demand for sustainable and decentralized energy solutions intensifies, renewable sources like solar, wind, and biomass are becoming vital alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. This study presents a comparative evaluation of these three major renewable energy types with respect to their applicability in decentralized power generation. Through a detailed analysis of efficiency, cost, environmental impact, intermittency, and resource availability, the study aims to assess each technology’s potential in off-grid and rural applications. Solar energy offers high scalability and low maintenance but suffers from intermittency and dependency on sunlight. Wind energy is efficient in favorable regions, yet its unpredictability and environmental concerns limit universal applicability. Biomass energy provides a stable output and helps in waste management but poses sustainability and emission challenges. The paper advocates for a hybrid energy approach, leveraging the complementary strengths of each source to enhance reliability and energy security. By understanding the individual and integrated capabilities of these renewable sources, the study provides a strategic framework for selecting optimal solutions tailored to specific regional and socio-economic conditions.

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1. Alrikabi NKM. Renewable energy types. J Clean Energy Technol. 2014;2(1):61–4. doi:10.7763/JOCET.2014.V2.92.
2. Amutha D, Rajini V. Cost benefit and technical analysis of rural electrification alternatives in southern India using HOMER. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2016;62:236–46. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.048.
3. Balat M, Ayar G. Biomass energy in the world, use of biomass and potential trends. Energy Sources. 2005;27(10):931–40. doi:10.1080/00908310490472542.
4. Cagle AE, et al. Decentralized solar energy systems for low-income communities: Lessons learned from an international review of completed projects. Energy Res Soc Sci. 2021;72:101890. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101890.
5. Chandel SS, Agarwal A, Chandel R. Review of solar photovoltaic water pumping system technology for irrigation and community drinking water supplies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;49:1084–99. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.083.
6. Delucchi MA, Jacobson MZ. Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part II: Reliability, system and transmission costs, and policies. Energy Policy. 2011;39(3):1170–90. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2010.11.045.
7. Evans A, Strezov V, Evans TJ. Assessment of sustainability indicators for renewable energy technologies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2010;13(5):1082–8. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2008.03.008.
8. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2019. Abu Dhabi: IRENA; 2020 [cited 2025 May 7]. Available from: https://www.irena.org/publications/2020
9. Kumar A, et al. Biomass energy in India: Current status and future prospects. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2010;14(8):2434–44. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2010.04.012.
10. Li FGN, et al. Comparative analysis of solar and wind resource complementarities for utility-scale renewable generation in China. Renew Energy. 2021;169:1–14. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.116.
11. Liu L, et al. Feasibility of solar energy powered waste-to-energy systems: A case study in Guangdong, China. Energy Convers Manag. 2015;100:299–306. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2015.05.005.
12. Mamun KA, et al. Techno-economic feasibility analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems in off-grid areas: A case study from Bangladesh. Renew Energy. 2021;170:462–73. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.106.
13. Renewables 2022 Global Status Report. Paris: REN21 Secretariat; 2022 [cited 2025 May 7]. Available from: https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2022
14. Singh S, Jain A, Kumar P. A review of wind energy scenario in India. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;70:33–41. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.218.
15. Sovacool BK. The political economy of energy poverty: A review of key challenges. Energy Sustain Dev. 2012;16(3):272–82. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2012.05.006.
16. Uddin K, et al. Decentralized renewable energy systems in Bangladesh: Comparative analyses, opportunities, and challenges. Energy Strategy Rev. 2021;35:100636. doi:10.1016/j.esr.2021.100636.
17. S. Department of Energy. Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States. Washington, DC: US DOE; 2020 [cited 2025 May 7]. Available from: https://www.energy.gov
18. Venkatesh A, Chandel SS. Optimization of solar photovoltaic-wind hybrid renewable energy system for decentralized applications in India. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;50:176–89. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.055.

The need for clean, renewable energy sources is growing as decentralized power generation gains popularity due to its ability to provide reliable power to remote areas and reduce transmission losses. This paper compares three popular renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and biomass—evaluating their feasibility, efficiency, costs, environmental impact, and sustainability in the context of decentralized power generation. Findings indicate that while each energy source has distinct advantages and challenges, a hybrid approach combining multiple sources may offer optimal reliability and efficiency for decentralized power systems. This study aims to provide a comparative analysis of solar, wind, and biomass energy as options for decentralized power generation, assessing each technology’s strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications. As the demand for sustainable and decentralized energy solutions intensifies, renewable sources like solar, wind, and biomass are becoming vital alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. This study presents a comparative evaluation of these three major renewable energy types with respect to their applicability in decentralized power generation. Through a detailed analysis of efficiency, cost, environmental impact, intermittency, and resource availability, the study aims to assess each technology’s potential in off-grid and rural applications. Solar energy offers high scalability and low maintenance but suffers from intermittency and dependency on sunlight. Wind energy is efficient in favorable regions, yet its unpredictability and environmental concerns limit universal applicability. Biomass energy provides a stable output and helps in waste management but poses sustainability and emission challenges. The paper advocates for a hybrid energy approach, leveraging the complementary strengths of each source to enhance reliability and energy security. By understanding the individual and integrated capabilities of these renewable sources, the study provides a strategic framework for selecting optimal solutions tailored to specific regional and socio-economic conditions.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Alrikabi NKM. Renewable energy types. J Clean Energy Technol. 2014;2(1):61–4. doi:10.7763/JOCET.2014.V2.92.
2. Amutha D, Rajini V. Cost benefit and technical analysis of rural electrification alternatives in southern India using HOMER. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2016;62:236–46. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.048.
3. Balat M, Ayar G. Biomass energy in the world, use of biomass and potential trends. Energy Sources. 2005;27(10):931–40. doi:10.1080/00908310490472542.
4. Cagle AE, et al. Decentralized solar energy systems for low-income communities: Lessons learned from an international review of completed projects. Energy Res Soc Sci. 2021;72:101890. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101890.
5. Chandel SS, Agarwal A, Chandel R. Review of solar photovoltaic water pumping system technology for irrigation and community drinking water supplies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;49:1084–99. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.083.
6. Delucchi MA, Jacobson MZ. Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part II: Reliability, system and transmission costs, and policies. Energy Policy. 2011;39(3):1170–90. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2010.11.045.
7. Evans A, Strezov V, Evans TJ. Assessment of sustainability indicators for renewable energy technologies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2010;13(5):1082–8. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2008.03.008.
8. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2019. Abu Dhabi: IRENA; 2020 [cited 2025 May 7]. Available from: https://www.irena.org/publications/2020
9. Kumar A, et al. Biomass energy in India: Current status and future prospects. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2010;14(8):2434–44. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2010.04.012.
10. Li FGN, et al. Comparative analysis of solar and wind resource complementarities for utility-scale renewable generation in China. Renew Energy. 2021;169:1–14. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.116.
11. Liu L, et al. Feasibility of solar energy powered waste-to-energy systems: A case study in Guangdong, China. Energy Convers Manag. 2015;100:299–306. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2015.05.005.
12. Mamun KA, et al. Techno-economic feasibility analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems in off-grid areas: A case study from Bangladesh. Renew Energy. 2021;170:462–73. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.106.
13. Renewables 2022 Global Status Report. Paris: REN21 Secretariat; 2022 [cited 2025 May 7]. Available from: https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2022
14. Singh S, Jain A, Kumar P. A review of wind energy scenario in India. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2017;70:33–41. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.218.
15. Sovacool BK. The political economy of energy poverty: A review of key challenges. Energy Sustain Dev. 2012;16(3):272–82. doi:10.1016/j.esd.2012.05.006.
16. Uddin K, et al. Decentralized renewable energy systems in Bangladesh: Comparative analyses, opportunities, and challenges. Energy Strategy Rev. 2021;35:100636. doi:10.1016/j.esr.2021.100636.
17. S. Department of Energy. Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States. Washington, DC: US DOE; 2020 [cited 2025 May 7]. Available from: https://www.energy.gov
18. Venkatesh A, Chandel SS. Optimization of solar photovoltaic-wind hybrid renewable energy system for decentralized applications in India. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;50:176–89. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.055.