Home-Scale Hybrid Wind and Solar Electric Systems-VIDEO

In much of the United States, wind speeds are low in the summer when the sun shines brightest and longest. The wind is strong in the winter when less sunlight is available.

One home owner in Elizabethtown, PA uses a wind and solar hybrid energy system to power their home. Installed by Wind and Solar, LLC of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Many hybrid systems are stand-alone systems, which operate “off-grid” — not connected to an electricity distribution system. For the times when neither the wind nor the solar system are producing, most hybrid systems provide power through batteries and/or an engine generator powered by conventional fuels, such as diesel. If the batteries run low, the engine generator can provide power and recharge the batteries.

Adding an engine generator makes the hybrid wind and solar electrical system more complex, but modern electronic controllers can operate these systems automatically. An engine generator can also reduce the size of the other components needed for the system. Keep in mind that the storage capacity must be large enough to supply electrical needs during non-charging periods. Battery banks are typically sized to supply the electric load for one to three days.

For more information, see our sections on:

• Small Solar Electric Systems
• Small Wind Electric Systems
• Small Stand-Alone Home Energy Systems