Solar wind hybrid systems work by collecting energy from both the sun and the movement of the wind. Using these two sources of alternative energy in conjunction with one another allows energy to be supplied to a building when one or the other of the energy sources is insufficient. Typical solar wind hybrid systems use turbines and solar panels to collect energy and then transfer it both directly to a building and into batteries for future use.
The two different components of solar wind hybrid systems work in very different ways. The solar aspect of the system uses photosensitive cells that react to the radiation emitted by the sun. Though there are cells that work in partial light, the panels need to be used in full sunlight in order to generate energy at optimal levels. Solar panels work best in the summer months, when the hours of daylight are longer and when there are more clear, sunny days.
The wind component of a solar wind hybrid system generates energy when wind turns the blades of a windmill. The windmill uses a turbine to generate rotational energy. In many places, there is more wind in non-summer months, making windmills more useful in spring, fall, and winter, when solar panels are often insufficient.
The use of solar wind hybrid systems can provide a reliable source of energy for buildings that are off the grid or that are trying to cut down on their use of energy purchased from power companies. A building that uses both of these systems together can use alternative energy more reliably than buildings that only use one system or the other. It is also possible for solar wind hybrid systems to provide energy to a building even when there is no sun or wind.
Energy from these systems can be sent directly to a building to provide for immediate energy needs and any surplus energy can stored in batteries. The batteries are available for use when neither the solar nor the wind component of the hybrid system is able to generate enough energy on its own. A generator powered with a fuel such as diesel can be hooked up to the system to recharge the batteries if they are completely discharged before the solar and wind systems are able to recharge them.