Hybrid wind turbine: the best solution for isolated sites
A hybrid wind turbine is generally a wind turbine coupled with solar panels. It involves simultaneously or alternately exploiting wind energy and solar energy to produce electricity. The hybrid wind/solar system is mainly found in isolated sites for powering electrical devices. The hybrid wind turbine thus allows the full potential of renewable energies on the site to be utilized.
Usage:
As mentioned above, the hybrid wind turbine is mainly used for electrifying an isolated site, which does not prevent it from being used as a domestic wind turbine connected to the grid. This latter alternative notably involves the hybrid wind turbine with solar panels integrated into the mast.
The hybrid wind turbine is thus based on energy cogeneration: wind and sun. In an isolated site, the hybrid wind turbine allows, thanks to the contribution of solar panels, to power a higher number of devices compared to a small classic wind turbine or portable solar panels. Thus, during the day, electricity production could be ensured by the solar panels, while at night, the wind turbine would take over.
The hybrid wind/solar system is also very common in the nautical field (wind turbines for boats + solar panels for boats). The wind turbine combined with solar panels contributes to the maintenance of the ship's battery park.
The main difficulty for a hybrid wind turbine is the sizing of the various equipment: wind turbine, solar panels, converter. The power of the converter must also be included in the sizing of the hybrid wind/solar system.
The hybrid wind turbine with integrated solar panels:
This type of wind turbine is equipped with solar panels mounted on its mast. It is a relatively recent concept, pioneered by Le Comptoir Eolien with the isolated site wind kits. The wind turbine can be used as a domestic wind turbine with grid connection. In addition to the usual characteristics of the wind turbine, the system can be equipped with a solar tracker to adjust the inclination of the photovoltaic solar panels according to the position of the sun. The hybrid wind turbine from the manufacturer is immediately ready to install!
The hybrid wind turbine with integrated solar panels is also used to power an autonomous system. Example: a street lamp mounted with a hybrid wind turbine.
The hybrid wind/solar kit:
The hybrid wind turbine kit is intended for stays in natural environments. The kit will serve as a portable energy generator. It combines portable solar panels and a small wind turbine. Many specialized distributors like Le Comptoir Eolien offer hybrid kits. The composition of the kits is determined by each distributor. They ensure the effectiveness of the association and the sizing of the equipment and models of wind turbines and solar panels they have chosen. Generally, a hybrid kit includes:
• A small wind turbine 12V, 24V, or 48V
• solar panels
• a wind charge controller
• solar controller
• buffer battery
• a pure sine wave converter that will transform the current into alternating current 220/230V
• and the connectors: cables for series or parallel battery connection, battery-converter connections,…
The wind turbine and solar panels are each connected to a wind regulator and a solar regulator, which are then connected to a buffer battery. The converter uses the current from the battery, transforming it into alternating current 220/230V to power electrical devices.