Hybrid Solar-Wind Systems


When to consider hybrid solar-wind systems

Wind speeds are often low in periods (summer, eventually) when the sun resources are at their best. On the other hand, the wind is often stronger in seasons (the winter, in many cases…) when there are less sun resources. Even during the same day, in many regions worldwide or in some periods of the year, there are different and opposite patterns in terms of wind and solar resources. And those different patterns can make the hybrid systems the best option in electricity production.

Note:
The combination involved on hybrid systems is rather obvious: to get a target goal of, say, 120 kWh of electricity per month we can use a single 3kW wind turbine (instead of a 6kW one...) and a solar system with a smaller array of modules.


Size and price

An hybrid wind-solar electric system demands an higher initial investment than single larger systems: large wind and solar PV systems are proportionally cheaper than smaller systems...

But the hybrid solution is the best option whenever there is a significant improvement in terms of output and performance - which happens when the sun and the wind resources have opposite cycles and intensities during the same day or in some seasons.



Image: Eere


Cases when hybrid solar-wind systems aren’t suitable

Obviously, hybrid solutions aren't feasible in urban and suburban environments (unless we consider new and rather untested urban wind systems) or in non-windy locations.

Besides, hybrid solar-wind solutions are mainly applied to electricity production. In applications as water heating (where solar is widely used) hybrid solutions don't make direct sense.

See, for details:
Basics on Wind Generators
Basics on Solar Energy

Back to top Hybrid solar-wind solutions
Return to Energy-Savings Home Page