What is a solar-wind hybrid system?
Hybridizing solar and wind power sources together with storage batteries to cover the periods of time without sun or wind provides a realistic form of power generation. The system creates a stand-alone energy source that is both dependable and consistent which is called the solar-wind hybrid system.
How does it work?
The hybrid solar wind turbine generator uses solar panels that collect light and convert it to energy along with wind turbines that collect energy from the wind. Solar wind composite power inverter has inputs for both sources, instead of having to use two inverters and it contains the required AC to DC transformer to supply charge to batteries from AC generators. Hence the power from the solar panels and wind turbine is filtered and stored in the battery bank.
Source: www.energy.gov
| Pros | Cons |
| Could generates twice as much as solar or wind only systems | Higher initial investment |
| Cost of Hybrid system is 40%-50% cheaper than pure play solar system. | Not feasible in some urban locations where the wind speeds are much lesser |
| Do not require grid expansion as they produce power at different intervals and during complementary seasons | Small amounts of losses due to the shading of wind towers |
| Enhanced reliability of the power generation system | Cost-competitive option only in regions where wind & solar patterns complement each other |
| Size of the battery can be minimized as there is less reliance on one method of power production | Market maturity not yet achieved |
| VAWT can be used in places where the wind speeds are low to drive an HAWT | Not all types of wind turbines can be utilized as the wind speed varies with regions |
Conclusion
In the present scenario standalone solar photovoltaic and wind systems have been promoted around the globe on a comparatively larger scale. These independent systems cannot provide continuous source of energy, as they are seasonal depending on the region. The solar and wind energies are complementary in nature. By integrating and optimizing the solar photovoltaic and wind systems, the reliability of the systems can be improved significantly and the output enhanced to almost twice as that of solar/wind only options and the unit cost of power can be minimized. However, the effectiveness of these hybrid systems cannot be guaranteed for all regions due to the variation of the solar/wind energy received.
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