Potential for on-grid hybrid renewable energy in a humid subtropical climatic zone: technological, economic, and environmental aspects

China’s abundant natural resources reveal inconsistencies in economics, environment, and society. Renewable energy sources can reduce environmental pollutants and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Using HOMER software, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China, optimizes the economic, environmental, and technological aspects of creating an off-grid hybrid power system for 100 houses. According to the results, the most economically feasible photovoltaic (PV)–wind turbine (WT)–grid hybrid system is made up of one WT, 25.55 kW converters, and 80 kW PV panels. Its total net present cost (NPC) is $494 119, and its cost of energy (COE) is $0.043/kWh. However, because it has the greatest operation expenses, the PV–grid hybrid configuration has the highest NPC of $687 906 and COE of $0.068/kWh. Furthermore, according to the technical analysis’s findings, WT contributed 49.2% of the overall power generation, equivalent to $357 694/kWh. The optimal WT/PV/grid configuration, which is the suggested configuration, has the lowest yearly emissions of carbon dioxide (174 236 kg/year), whereas the PV–grid configuration has the highest carbon dioxide emissions (246 769 kg/year). The results of the sensitivity evaluation’s findings demonstrate that the COE and NPC amounts for the ideal configuration decline as solar irradiation and wind velocity increase. To clarify, raising the system’s velocity of wind or radiation from the sun can make it more economically viable. It may be concluded that the WT–PV–grid hybrid configuration is the more environmentally friendly and economical technology. Zhanjiang, China, has the potential to develop a sustainable alternative energy system combining WT and biomass power generation, but factors like fuel limitations and energy consumption must be considered.