Hybrid PV systems

Should you think this web site needs improvement, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be happy of any constructive criticism. Any comments on terminology and web site content are appreciated. E-mail them to:

Hybrid photovoltaic systems

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
(Helen Keller)

Wind - the most common additional source of energy used in hybrid systems
(photo: Denis Lenardic)

Hybrid photovoltaic systems most commonly take the form of photovoltaic systems combined with wind turbines or diesel generators. They would most likely be found on islands, yet they could also be built in other areas. The largest European PV system used as a part of the hybrid system is located on Pellworm Island in Germany. A very large hybrid system was also built on the Canary Islands. The following descriptions depict some of the world most interesting PV-wind or PV-diesel hybrid systems.

Hybrid system configuration

Sunny Island as inverter used in hybrid systems, courtesy SMA Techologie AG

SMA's inverter "Sunny Island" used in hybrid systems
(courtesy SMA Technologie AG)

Some interesting hybrid system examples
Khythnos Island The Kythnos Island hybrid system plant utilizes a 100 kW PV array, a 100 kW wind turbine, and a 600 kWh battery. The entire system is connected to the existing distribution grid, which is fed by a 200 kVA diesel generator. Three 50 kVA inverters operate simultaneously delivering power into the grid. The plant is monitored by control system, which optimises the amount of renewable energy available to the grid. Name and location: Kythnos Island Plant - Kythnos, Greece PV system type: PV-wind-diesel hybrid system Operate since: 1983 Rated power: 100 kW peak PV, 200 kW diesel, 100 kW wind turbine Storage: 600 kWh battery storage Number of modules: almost 60,000 Total PV area: 1290 m² Module mounting: Fixed tilt Inverter: 3 x Siemens 50 kVA Utility interconnection: 380 V, 3 Phase, 50 Hz Design energy output: 170,000 kWh/year Picture courtesy SMA Technologie AG
Pellworm Island The largest European PV wind hybrid system is located on the Pellworm Island in Germany. The PV array has the capacity of 800 kW (originaly 600 kW). The first 300 kW array was constructed in 1983. System was renewed in 2006 and has peak power of 1,1 MW (PV + wind). Name and location: Pellworm Power Plant - Island Pellworm, Germany PV system type: PV hybrid grid connected Operates since: 1983 (part one), 1992 (part two), renewed in 2006 Rated power: 300 kWp PV part one + 300 kWp PV part two, after renewal 800 kWp Number of modules: 17569 19.2 W modules, 6048 50 W modules (originaly), exchanged with Shell Solar and BP Solar modules in 2006 Total PV area: 4500 m² + 3500 m² Module mounting: Fixed tilt Inverter: Tyristor + IGBT inverter Design energy output: 770 MWh/year
Wilpena Pound The Wilpena Pound power station combines 100 kWp PV system, battery storage of 400 kWh, an inverter and 440 kWp diesel generators. At night a computerized smart controller automatically switches between the battery storage and the most-efficient diesel generator combination to match the load. A modem-link provides remote monitoring and control facilities. Name and location: Wilpena Pound PV System - South Australia PV system type: Standalone PV-diesel hybrid plant Rated power: 100 kW peak PV + 440 kW diesel genset Number of modules: 1260, 80 W Solarex modules Storage: 400 kWh, Sonnenschein Gel battery storage Module mounting: Fixed tilt Inverter: AES 125 kVA

Power	Location	Description	Constructed	MWh/GHG	Picture
800 kW	Germany, Pellworm Island	Pellworm Photovoltaic Plant SA, HY, GC, WI Pellworm plant was renewed with new amorphous BP Solar and Shell Solar modules and is since August 2006 again on-line. The same area has initially peak power of 600 kW. After renewal plant has 800 kWp. Together with wind turbines 1,1 MWp	Plant renewed/repowered in August 2006
750 kW	Japan, Miyakojima Island, Okinawa	Miyakojima Photovoltaic System SA, HY, DI Hybrid System with 300 kW diesel backup.	1995
600 kW	Italy, Carloforte, Sardinia	Carloforte Hybrid Plant SA, HY	1995
600 kW	Italy, Lamezia Terme	Photovoltaic Hybrid Plant SA, HY	1996
600 kW	Italy, Salve	Photovoltaic Hybrid Plant SA, HY
480 kW	Spain, Tenerife, Canarian Islands Picture courtesy: ITER, Tenerife, Canarian Islands, Spain	Euclides plant SA, CONC, TRAC, HY, GC
175 kW	USA, Kameula, HA Picture courtesy: PowerLight Corp.	Parker Ranch Hybrid system SA, TRAC, HY, WI 175 kW PV + 50 kW wind power.	PowerLight corp. 2001	357 MWh PV+wind annualy 6207 tons CO₂ emission reduction in 25 years (70000 barrels of oil)
100 kW	Belize, Essene Way/Ambergris Caye Island Picture courtesy: Real Goods Design & Consulting Group	Standalone system with 125 kW generator backup on Essene Way/Ambergris Caye Island SA, HY, DI	Constructed in 1996, destroyed by a huricane after 3 years of operation 350 kg CO₂ emmision reduction in three years	357 MWh PV+wind annualy 6207 tones CO₂ emission reduction in 25 years (70000 barrels of oil).
100 kW	Greece, Kythnos Island Picture courtesy: SMA Technologie AG	Kythnos Island PV-wind hybrid system SA, HY, WI	1982 - 2001
100 kW	Australia, Wilpena Pound	Wilpena Pound hybrid power plant SA, HY

* Abbreviations - explanation

BG - Biogas as additional energy source in hybrid systems
BIPV - Building integrated photovoltaic system
BM - Biomass as additional energy source in hybrid systems
CONC - Concentrating photovoltaic system
CSC - Coloured solar cells
DI - Diesel fuel as additional source of energy in hybrid systems
DIST - Distributed photovoltaic system
GC - Grid-connected photovoltaic system
FC - Fuell cells as additional energy source in hybrid systems
FI - Facade-integrated system
FLEX - Flexible solar cells
FM - Facade-mounted system
HY - Hybrid photovoltaic system
NB - Noise barrier
PB - PV System part of a passive building
RES - Residental housing
RI - Roof-integrated photovoltaic system
RM - Roof-mounted photovoltaic system
SA - Standalone photovoltaic system
SV - "Shadow-Voltaic" system
TRAC - Tracking system
TRAN - Transparent modules
WI - Wind as additional source of energy in hybrid systems
WP - Water pumping

Hybrid systems - interesting web sites

IEA - Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme - Task 3: Use of photovoltaic power systems in stand-alone and island applications.

Languages:
Webmaster's choice - many very interesting stand alone and hybrid system related technical documents available as pdf files.

Sandia National Laboratories - Hybrid Power Systems - Issues & Answers.

Languages:
Webmaster's choice - hybrid photovoltaic systems explained in detail - sizing, environmental concerns, load demands etc.

Literature and more information

SMA Regelsystems GmbH: Kythnos Island - 20 Years Experience of Sytem Technology for Renewable Energies, (1700 kB).
Kremer, P., Schmitt, S., Mainka, C.: Photovoltaic Hybrid Systems Enhance Reliability of Power Supply; Photovoltaic Hybrid Power Systems Conference, Aix en Provence, 7-9 September, 2000 (2574 kB).
Pellworm Island (Germany) - Pellworm Energy
Proceedings of the Workshop on Photovoltaic Hybrid Systems, Montreal September 10, 2001.