Energy balance of hybrid systems consisting of wind and photovoltaic generators and solar thermal plane collector

Theoretical and experimental analysis is given of the hybrid systems made by different combinations of the water heating solar collector, wind generator and photovoltaic solar panel. It is shown that in the PV/Thermal Hybrid System, the photovoltaic panel with area much smaller than that of the collector should be used, to provide a good cooling of the panel thus increasing the electric power generated, without an essential loss in the heating water capacity of the heat collector. The Wind/Thermal System could be ideal for thermic applications: at windy weather the additional energy generated by wind unit will compensate the losses in heat production by solar heat collector. The system combining all three elements produces both electric and thermal energy; a small scale system of this kind may be useful for rural houses and/or schools, an example of such applications is given.