What is Wind Solar Hybrid Power Generation System and Why Do We Use Them?

Pros of Hybrid Energy Systems

The ability to power your home without releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere is a great benefit for all environmentally conscious homeowners. What is even better is that this switch to hybrid renewable energy systems brings savings to the household budget, reducing electricity bills every month.

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In addition, the upfront cost can be reduced due to the US Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit, which applies to solar, wind, and hybrid systems. This benefit provided a 30% incentive tax credit for wind, solar, and hybrid residential energy systems, with no cap limit, for systems installed by 12/31/19. After that date, the tax credit remains in place but is reduced to 26% for systems installed by the end of and 22% for those installed before January 1st, .

With these incentives in place, the savings on your monthly energy bill will quickly offset the cost of installing a renewable energy system. In the case of hybrid systems connected to the grid, the ability to produce energy around the clock means that you may end up having a monthly electric bill that approaches zero. If you collect more than you use, your local utility company may even send you a monthly check. Even if you choose to finance your hybrid renewable energy system, your savings on your monthly utility bills will most likely exceed your monthly payment for the system itself. 

Cons of Hybrid Wind-Solar Energy Systems

First, renewable hybrid systems cost money. Some of the smaller products on the market start at about $1,800 and go up from there. Perhaps more importantly, not every home site receives sufficient amounts of sun and wind to justify the cost. Maybe you live in a heavily shaded area, or if the wind at your house site is sporadic at best. In this case, you might only be able to generate a small percent of your household's energy needs and not save enough money to justify the cost.

In terms of maintenance, unless your home gets bombarded by a significant hail storm, your rooftop solar panels generally require very little maintenance. Wind turbines, on the other hand, need regularly scheduled maintenance. This maintenance is necessary to inspect the blades to make sure that they are performing optimally.

If you choose to go off-grid, your hybrid renewable energy system could produce more energy than is needed. If, for example, your batteries are full from a full day of charging in the sun, the wind that generates power at night will essentially go to waste because of a lack of storage space.

Keys to Getting Started With Hybrid Solar Wind Power Systems

The first thing you want to do before investing in a hybrid renewable energy system is to hire an energy auditor. The auditor will determine your household energy needs and how you might cut back on your monthly electricity consumption. You will want to understand how much renewable energy is available at your house site. Google's Project Sunroof offers detailed information on how much electricity your specific rooftop might generate. You can even hire renewable energy specialists to analyze your home's potential.

Once you have determined that your household is a prime location for a renewable hybrid energy system, you will want to check to ensure that your neighborhood or local building council doesn't have any zoning restrictions (this is more likely for turbines than for solar panels). And, at this time, you will want to start checking prices online.

Popular Hybrid Solar and Wind Power Systems 

Unstable electricity prices, human-induced climate change, and a greater desire to do the right thing for Planet Earth have led to much innovation in alternative power systems. One such development is wind-solar hybrid systems with two sources of natural, renewable energy: the wind and the sun. What is this hybrid power generation system, how does it work, and is it a legitimate option for homeowners? We answer all these questions and more below. 

What Is a Wind-Solar Hybrid System? 

A wind-solar hybrid system is an alternative power generation system that pairs two great forces in green energy: photovoltaic (solar) panels and wind turbines. By harnessing the strengths of wind and solar power, this hybrid system maximizes energy production. It is especially useful in regions with fluctuating weather patterns. 

The solar power portion of this hybrid system converts sunlight into electricity during sunny periods. When the wind picks up, the wind generators or wind turbines start spinning and generate electrical energy. Because this hybrid power system uses both renewable energy sources, it helps ensure continuous power output by reducing dependence on a single energy source. And it does so without depending on a drop of fossil fuels. 

How Much Does a Solar-Wind Hybrid System Cost? 

The cost of a solar-wind hybrid renewable energy system can vary depending on its power generation capacity and complexity. The system’s overall cost will include installing solar panels, wind turbines, storage batteries, and power control systems, but you’ll also need to consider other variables like site preparation, permits, and maintenance. This can make providing an exact estimate difficult without a site inspection. 

The first thing that comes into play when pricing out this renewable electric system is the varying cost of solar panels. This can vary greatly depending on the type and quality of the solar panels you choose. If you opt for high-efficiency solar panels, you can expect to pay a premium to receive better power generation per panel. Opting for lower-cost panels with a lower efficiency rating will still provide a significant amount of clean energy. 

For example, the most energy-efficient solar panels are monocrystalline solar panels, and you can expect to pay $1 to $1.50 per watt. The slightly less efficient polycrystalline solar panels are more budget friendly at 75 cents to $1 per watt. 

Wind turbines, another key variable in a wind-solar hybrid system’s cost, also come in various sizes and prices. A wind turbine’s cost varies based on its rated capacity, rotor diameter, tower height, and the specific wind conditions at the installation site. Opting for a larger turbine will typically result in a higher upfront cost but can generate more electricity, making them a suitable choice for areas with consistent wind patterns. But you also have to consider spatial concerns, as a larger turbine will require more real estate than a smaller roof-mounted unit. 

You can expect to pay about $3,000 to $8,000 per kilowatt (kW) for turbines that produce less than 100 kW. 

If you plan to build an off-grid system — or one that can continue operating in power outages or when there’s no wind or sun — you’ll want storage batteries. These batteries store the excess power your solar cells and wind power system generate during peak times, so you can use it when the generation is low or non-existent. 

Storage battery costs vary based on capacity and technology. Lithium-ion batteries are the most common choice because they have high energy density and long lifespan, but they also come at a higher cost than other battery types. Generally, these batteries will run you about $283 per kWh, not including installation, inverters, and other requirements. 

So that’s a whole lot of numbers to consider, and we still have yet to get into the various inverters and other equipment you’ll need, as well as installation and site-prep costs. On average, you can expect the full cost of a 6kW wind-solar hybrid system to run about $12,654 after federal incentives. Adding in the battery packs would tack on another roughly $8,000. The average home requires a 6.62-kW system to match its power consumption, so your costs will likely vary. 

What Is the Best Solar-Wind Hybrid System? 

Determining the best wind-solar hybrid system for your home requires an expert because these are not one-size-fits-all systems. An expert will research the amount of sunshine and wind you get in your area and analyze your property to determine solar panel and wind turbine placement. This will allow them to determine the right number of panels and wind turbines to maximize system efficiency. 

They can also speak with you about your various options, including turbine size and capacity, solar panel quality, and even storage options. Only this personalized guidance will ensure you get the best possible wind-solar hybrid system for your home. 

What Are the Disadvantages of Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems? 

Wind-solar hybrid systems offer a range of benefits, but it’s important to be aware of their potential drawbacks. Let’s review some of these potential issues. 

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Upfront Cost 

One disadvantage is the initial investment required to install a wind-solar hybrid system. The cost of the system — including purchasing and installing wind turbines, solar panels, and storage batteries — can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. Plus, the larger your home is and the less you want to rely on the traditional power grid, the more substantial the cost becomes. 

Ongoing Expenses 

With solar-wind hybrid systems, you can’t just set it and forget it. These renewable energy systems require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. This can eat into your energy savings, but it’s a must to keep the solar panels and wind turbines operating at peak efficiency. 

Noise Pollution 

Wind turbines produce an average of 43 decibels of sound pressure. This is less than the typical vacuum cleaner (80 decibels) and window air-conditioning unit (50 decibels). However, if you live in a quiet residential area where homes are tightly packed, this ongoing noise could disturb your neighbors. 

Spatial Constraints 

One of the biggest factors when considering installing a renewable energy system is the space it will take up. Look at any house with a solar panel system large enough to power the entire home, and you’ll probably see a large portion of the roof covered in panels. And if your roof doesn’t have optimal sunlight due to tall trees, you may have to use your lawn to mount the panels, taking away real estate you could use for other things. 

How Many Solar Panels Does It Take to Equal a Windmill? 

It could take several hundred to thousands of solar panels to equal the power output of just one commercial windmill at peak operation. Smaller windmills suitable for residential use produce roughly 10kW of power per day, while the average 2-by-2-foot solar panel produces 1kW of energy daily. That means you’d need about 10 solar panels to equal a single windmill. 

Which Is Cheaper to Install: Wind or Solar? 

When it comes to total costs, both wind and solar energy systems are fairly expensive, but which is the cheaper option? Solar panels are generally less expensive to install compared to wind turbines. A 10kW solar system, on average, will cost around $24,900 before federal incentives. An equivalent wind turbine system would cost a whopping $75,000 before incentives. 

While that price difference is massive, you must consider other factors, such as the site’s wind conditions and available sunlight. If you’re in an area with high wind speeds and limited sunlight, wind energy may be more economically viable. However, areas with ample sunshine would almost always favor solar energy. 

The choice between wind and solar ultimately depends on the specific circumstances and energy needs of the project. 

Which Is Better for a Home: Solar or Wind Turbine? 

Choosing a solar energy system or a wind turbine for your home depends on a wide range of variables, which you’ll want to speak with an expert about. However, solar energy systems are more common for residential applications because they’re easier to install and require less maintenance than windmills. 

Solar panels can typically be mounted on your home’s rooftop, which is generally unused real estate for homeowners. A wind turbine, on the other hand, may be mounted on your roof, but it may also need to take up space in your yard if the roof isn’t suitable. 

One variable that can change all this is the climate in your area. If you live in an area with consistently strong winds and limited sunshine, a wind turbine may serve you better than a solar panel system. This is why bringing in an expert to help you decide is so crucial, as they will have all the climate data they need to help you decide. 

Are Hybrid Solar Systems Worth It? 

Hybrid solar systems offer several advantages compared to either a solar panel system or a wind-power system alone. Because they combine wind and solar energy, these hybrid systems deliver a more consistent power supply in the face of changing weather conditions. 

If it’s cloudy, rainy, and windy one day, the wind turbines can compensate for the lagging solar panels. And on a sunny, calm day, the solar panels take over. Sunny and breezy days are peak production, so you’ll store tons of energy for times when energy production drops. 

And, of course, let’s not overlook the fact that hybrid solar systems help reduce carbon emissions, promoting sustainability and environmental protection. However, the feasibility and benefits of a hybrid system depend on factors such as geographical location, energy requirements, and budget constraints. 

Which Is Better: Off-Grid or Hybrid Solar Systems? 

Trying to decide between an off-grid solar system and a hybrid solar system? You’ll need to consider several factors. 

An off-grid solar system is completely independent and does not tie into the electrical grid. These setups are great for remote locations where a grid connection may not be feasible or cost-effective, like a cabin in the mountains, an RV you frequently travel to remote campsites in, or even a military base. 

A hybrid solar system, on the other hand, has the advantage of offering both grid-connected and off-grid capabilities. With a grid-connected system, you can sometimes sell excess power back to the utility company while also storing energy for use during grid outages.  

If you plan to install your system in a remote location, consider an off-grid hybrid solar system to get all the benefits of a hybrid system while bypassing the grid altogether. 

Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems Could Be the Future, But Just Energy Can Help Now 

Wind-solar hybrid systems offer a promising path towards a sustainable future. They leverage the strengths of wind and solar energy to deliver reliable and efficient green power generation. As wind and solar power technology continues evolving and costs fall, these hybrid systems could play a significant role in sustainable power generation. 

Until then, you still have options to lower energy costs and protect the environment. Just Energy not only helps you find electricity plans that fit your budget, but you can also find green options that can lower your carbon footprint. Check out all our electricity plans today to find the best option for you. 

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