The optimal design of a hybrid system with different configurations including renewable generation is presented in this paper. A novel multi-objective function consisting of 6 different objectives of hybrid system is reported using GA, PSO, and TLBO to decide the optimal configurations of parameters. The technical (loss of power supply probability, renewable factor), economical (cost of energy, penalty and fuel consumption), and social (job creation, human development index, and particular matter) features are investigated as objectives simultaneously for optimal design of hybrid system. The different objective indices namely cost of energy, loss of power supply probability, particular matter, human development index, job creation, and renewable factor indices are considered. The newly invented particular matter factor for design consideration of hybrid system directly shows the human health impacts, while pollutant emission is measured in the hybrid system design. The optimum values of objective indices are decided on the basis of the minimum value of multi-objective function. The distinct cases from I to VI of hybrid system are examined for optimal configuration including different combinations of PV, wind, biomass, diesel generator, and battery bank. The resulting analysis of each case reveals that the performance of TLBO is better than PSO, and PSO is better than GA in all respect through new multi-objective function and found case I is more efficient solution. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.