Solar and wind power farms are natural combinations and when
either is used alone a full use of the potential is not achieved nor is the
maximum possible economy attained. Wind mill farms do not shade the
ground significantly and that can then be utilized for placing solar PV panels. The processing
and distribution of electricity so generated is shared by common infrastructure
and leads to greater economy than either used alone. Such hybrid systems have potential to be very successful in areas with good wind and solar energy.
The wind does not blow all the time nor does the sun shine
all the time, solar and wind power alone are poor power sources. Hybridizing
solar and wind power sources together and connecting to a grid or with storage
batteries to cover the periods of time without sun or wind provides realistic
forms of power generation.
The system can also create a stand-alone energy source that
is both dependable and consistent without the availability of a grid in the
vicinity. In India,
after the success of the first-of-its-kind pilot project, of setting up a solar
hybrid system in one of the villages at Morni hills, Haryana in 2008, more villages
have come forward to get similar system installed in their areas. There is a
potential for such hybrid systems all over the world either at large scales or
smaller scales dedicated to isolated human habitations and villages.
The question that arises is, if solar and wind energy are
such natural combinations, why do we have so many stand alone solar or wind
energy farms? The answer is that most corporations into renewable energy have
expertise in one or the other only, not both. The answer lies in companies collaborating.
Further, when governments allot land for a solar or wind farm they may insist
that such a combination be affected in order to have maximum utilization of
land and achieve maximum economy.
In areas where a third form of energy hydro power is also available, the combination of the three can lead to a completely carbon free and sustainable energy generation to meet all human needs most economically and safely.
Some limited use of bio fuels is also renewable and less carbon is released by their use than absorbed during growth of the plant that produces the bio-fuel. When such bio-fuels are a produce of a forest they do not compete with agricultural production for food, only care must be taken to alternate some rows of the forest with trees natural to the area in order not to destroy biodiversity as palm oil plantations tend to when this sort of mix is not employed..
Systems for Individual Homes
Hybrid systems are economical for individual homes too. Modern concrete homes are constructed on corner pillars and such pillar can be extended beyond roof level to place wind mills while the roof can be employed for solar panels. It needs to be pointed out that solar panels on roofs insulate homes from summer heat and winter cold too and serve to protect the roof from the elements as side benefits.
In areas where a third form of energy hydro power is also available, the combination of the three can lead to a completely carbon free and sustainable energy generation to meet all human needs most economically and safely.
Some limited use of bio fuels is also renewable and less carbon is released by their use than absorbed during growth of the plant that produces the bio-fuel. When such bio-fuels are a produce of a forest they do not compete with agricultural production for food, only care must be taken to alternate some rows of the forest with trees natural to the area in order not to destroy biodiversity as palm oil plantations tend to when this sort of mix is not employed..
Systems for Individual Homes
Hybrid systems are economical for individual homes too. Modern concrete homes are constructed on corner pillars and such pillar can be extended beyond roof level to place wind mills while the roof can be employed for solar panels. It needs to be pointed out that solar panels on roofs insulate homes from summer heat and winter cold too and serve to protect the roof from the elements as side benefits.
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| The solar and wind energy home |
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