Basic Configuration Principles of Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems

Basic Configuration Principles of Wind-Solar Hybrid Systems

The core of configuring a wind-solar hybrid system lies in cleverly utilizing the natural complementarity of solar and wind energy in terms of time and seasons to construct a more stable and reliable independent power supply system than a single system. The design concept is not simply to superimpose photovoltaic and wind power, but rather to scientifically evaluate and optimize the integration of the two resources based on the final electricity demand, achieving a "1+1>2" effect and ensuring continuous power output for the vast majority of the time.

The first step in configuration is to objectively evaluate and optimize the allocation of local solar and wind resources. This requires analyzing the duration of sunshine, solar radiation intensity, and seasonal variations and diurnal patterns of wind speed at the installation site. For example, some areas have good sunshine during the day but strong winds at night, or abundant sunshine in summer but strong winds in winter. The configuration idea is to allow the two to "complement each other's strengths": during periods of good sunshine and weak winds, photovoltaic power generation is the primary source; during cloudy days, nights, or periods of strong winds, wind turbines supplement or undertake the main power generation task. Therefore, the capacity ratio of photovoltaic modules and wind turbines is not fixed, but calculated based on detailed resource data. The goal is to make the overall power generation curve of the combined system as smooth as possible, reducing the instantaneous impact and deep discharge on the energy storage system.

After determining the resource allocation, the next stage is the coordinated configuration phase centered on energy storage. The energy storage system (usually a battery bank) acts as the "stabilizer" and "reservoir" of the entire system, and its capacity configuration is crucial. Its size depends primarily on two factors: first, the potential for consecutive cloudy and windless periods of "longest power shortages" in the local area, which determines how much energy the system needs to store to weather the storm; and second, the daily power consumption of critical loads that users need to ensure. Simultaneously, a reliable intelligent controller must be provided. This controller acts like a "brain," managing the energy flow between photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, batteries, and loads in real time, prioritizing the use of immediately generated clean electricity, and providing scientific charge and discharge protection for the batteries to prevent overcharging and over-discharging, thereby maximizing the efficiency of the entire system and the lifespan of the batteries.

The final system configuration requires overall optimization with electricity demand as the ultimate guiding principle. First, a detailed statistical analysis of the power consumption and usage patterns of all electrical equipment is needed to identify critical loads that must be supplied (such as lighting and refrigerators) and non-critical loads that can be adjusted. Based on this, the total power and energy requirements of the system are determined, followed by precise calculations of the total power of the photovoltaic array, the rated power of the wind turbine, and the total capacity of the battery. All equipment, from photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to controllers, inverters, and batteries, must be matched in terms of voltage, power, and characteristics, and managed by the same control logic. An excellent configuration scheme is the result of a balance between resource characteristics, technological matching, and economic efficiency, meeting the user's electricity needs with higher overall utilization and reliability.