The Wind-Solar Synergy

Wind and Solar Are Better Together; Building turbines and photovoltaics at the same location can reduce grid and battery costs and level out power supply

Ben Jervey, December 5, 2016 (Ensia via Scientific American)

“…[Wind resources tend to complement solar resources…A handful of enterprising renewable energy developers are now exploring how solar and wind might better work together, developing hybrid solar–wind projects…[with the strengths of the] two technologies in tandem serving as a better replacement for climate-warming fossil fuels than either could be alone…Co-locating wind and solar plants can save money on grid connections, site development and approvals. But that’s not the only benefit…[The developer of an Australian 10 MW solar project adjacent to a wind project] estimates savings as high as A$6 million — reducing the cost of the project by a full 20 percent…When applied to microgrid systems — local energy grids that can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously — combined solar and wind can help cut battery costs…since the wind can (and often does) blow when the sun doesn’t shine…Combining solar photovoltaics and wind turbines at the same location can actually yield up to twice the amount of electricity as having either system working alone…” click here for more

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