Currently commercialised stand-alone street lighting systems based on the classical configuration coupling photovoltaic cells (PV) and battery cannot work all the year round in regions that are far from the equator. To improve the classical system, a hybrid system coupling a PV, a battery and a fuel cell is proposed. However, the sizing method of hybrid systems is a key issue in obtaining the cheapest system. To optimise the system, an original time-saving method is applied. Two optimization methods are used first the genetic algorithms, then the simplex algorithms. A simulation model is used to evaluate the validity of the different hybrid configurations. After presenting the problem of stand-alone street lighting, the optimization methodology and the simulation model are detailed. Finally, an optimal configuration is obtained and shows that a 60W street light would cost 7150(sic) with a lifetime of 25 years. The optimised parameters are also given and analysed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.