Distribution Strategy Optimization of Standalone Hybrid WT/PV System Based on Different Solar and Wind Resources for Rural Applications

The characteristics of solar and wind energy determine that the optimization of a standalone hybrid wind turbine (WT)/photovoltaic panel (PV) system depends on the natural resources of the installation location. In order to ensure system reliability and improve the resource utilization, a method for determining the installed capacity ratio of a hybrid renewable energy system is required. This study proposes a calculation method to optimize the installed capacity ratio, considering the system reliability to meet the needs of the hybrid system to adapt to different natural resources. In this paper, a standalone hybrid WT/PV system to provide electricity for rural areas is designed. Taking the power supply guarantee rate and electricity supply continuity as indicators, the system is simulated by using the Transient System Simulator solver. The results show that the recommended installed capacity ratio of the WT and PV is 5:1 when the total solar irradiation is less than 5040 MJ/(m2·a) and the annual average wind velocity is in the range of 3.0~3.5 m/s. When the annual average wind velocity is in the range of 2.0~3.0 m/s, the PV plays an increasingly significant role in the hybrid system and exceeds the WT if the total solar irradiation is greater than 6300 MJ/(m2·a). However, if the total solar irradiation and the annual average wind velocity are less than 5040 MJ/(m2·a) and 2.0 m/s, respectively, it is not recommended to use the standalone hybrid system because it cannot meet the power demand. These conclusions provide guidance for the distribution strategies of the standalone hybrid WT/PV system within different natural resources.