The development and modeling is reported of a photovoltaic (PV)/wind/diesel hybrid power generation system for a household in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. For optimizing and determining the feasibility of the system, Homer simulation software is utilized. Various system configurations are investigated and comparisons are made using an optimization approach. For the Winnipeg location, the annual mean and the peak loads are 16 kWh/d and 1.9 kW, respectively. It is found that the hybrid system comprising 1 kW PV arrays, a 2 kW diesel generator, five batteries and a 2 kW converter with a total net present cost of $33,110 and a cost of energy of 0.444 $/kWh has the optimal configuration. The results obtained with Homer software demonstrate that a hybrid wind/PV/diesel/battery power generation system has the lowest cost and the highest efficiency of the systems considered. The system helps reduce emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 548–562, 2019