Development of Innovative Solar and Wind Power Solutions: Advancing Renewable Energy Technologies
Development of Innovative Solar and Wind Power Solutions: Advancing Renewable Energy Technologies
This study developed a hybrid solar and wind power system integrating sun-tracking polycrystalline solar panels and vertical-axis wind turbines to improve renewable energy reliability and efficiency. A quantitative experimental design was employed, including prototype testing and environmental assessments. Using a quantitative experimental design, the system achieved 90% efficiency in solar panels and 93.33% energy conversion in wind turbines at 25 feet. The battery system effectively stored energy, while the inverter maintained a 90% overall system efficiency. Initial challenges, including component sourcing delays and energy management issues, were resolved with innovative modifications and locally sourced materials. Moderate environmental conditions further supported the system’s performance. This research concludes that a hybrid system integrating advanced solar and wind technologies enhances the efficiency and sustainability of renewable energy. The findings contribute toward addressing the intermittency of renewable sources and provide a practical solution to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
The increasing global demand for energy and the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions have driven a shift toward sustainable energy solutions. Existing studies highlight the significance of renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind power, in ensuring energy security while mitigating environmental impacts. Solar and wind power are abundant and sustainable alternatives, but challenges like intermittency and grid integration persist (Palanisamy et al., 2023). This study aims to develop a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) that enhances reliability by integrating advanced technologies such as direct-drive wind turbines, tandem solar cells, and improved energy storage (Green et al., 2023; Wang, Li, & Zhang, 2023). Beyond its broader contributions to sustainable energy, this research also addresses the specific need for energy-efficient solutions in academic institutions. The project aims to develop a hybrid solar-wind power system to support school infrastructure, particularly through renewable-powered street lighting. This research study contributes to advancing renewable energy solutions for both academic and real-world applications.
This study examines the integration of sun-tracking polycrystalline solar panels and vertical wind turbines to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply. It explores technological advancements needed to enhance the efficiency, durability, and energy storage of hybrid renewable systems. By addressing challenges such as intermittency, power reliability, and energy conversion, the research aims to contribute to cost-effective and environmentally sustainable energy solutions.
The researchers aim to answer the following questions:
How can the integration of Sun tracking solar and vertical wind power be developed to ensure a reliable energy supply in terms of:
1.1 Reducing the risk of power outages during extreme weather conditions;
1.2 Balancing energy generation from intermittent solar and wind resources; and
1.3 Enhancing energy availability for consistent power supply?
How are technological advancements, vertical wind turbines, essential to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of wind energy in hybrid renewable energy systems in terms of:
2.1 Reducing maintenance and costs;
2.2 Increasing absorption of energy in different
locations; and
2.3 Improving system efficiency and longevity?
How are technological advancements, sun tracking solar systems essential to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of wind energy in hybrid renewable energy systems in terms of:
3.1 Maximizing sunlight absorption during unstable weather conditions;
3.2 Increasing the output of efficient energy; and
3.3 Cost-effectiveness of solar energy solutions?
Does the use of advanced energy storage and inverter technologies improve the adaptability and cost-effectiveness of hybrid Sun tracking solar and vertical wind power systems in terms of:
2.1 Storing extra energy to be used at times of high demand or lack of resources;
2.2 Simplifying the energy grid's integration of solar and wind power; and
2.3 Lowering energy costs by optimizing storage and distribution efficiently
This study utilized a quantitative research approach to assess the scalability and performance of the hybrid renewable energy system through numerical data and statistical analysis. Moreover, an experimental research design is used to establish cause-and-effect relationships (Sirisilla & Sirisilla, 2023; Nguyen et al., 2023), by evaluating the impact of solar and wind technology integration under controlled conditions. Additionally, performance sampling technique was applied to measure energy output, reliability, and efficiency, with comparative evaluations against existing renewable systems (Hassan et al., 2023). Furthermore, field testing in diverse environments which provided insights, while scalability analysis examines system expansion from small-scale prototypes to larger implementations. Lastly, an environmental impact analysis evaluates emissions and resource usage (Sharma et al., 2021), and a benchmarking analysis demonstrates efficiency improvements over conventional solar and wind systems (Cai et al., 2022; Javed et al., 2021).
The hybrid solar and wind power system was developed using an HP-16W sun-tracking solar panel and a 30W wind turbine with a dynamo generator, both tested at 10 ft and 25 ft heights to determine the effect of height on wind energy capture. The system was designed with protective breaker switches to prevent overload and short circuits, a W88-C charge controller to regulate battery charging cycles, and a 12V 5Ah Panasonic rechargeable battery for energy storage. To convert the 12V DC output from the battery into 240V AC, an SP2 Q4000 inverter was used, enabling the system to power small loads such as LED bulbs (20W), a 15W portable fan, and USB-powered devices (10W total). The solar panel was mounted on a sun-tracking system, allowing it to follow the sun’s movement throughout the day to maximize energy absorption. The wind turbine was installed on a tripod structure, giving flexibility for height adjustments to optimize wind energy capture. By integrating solar and wind energy, the system provided a consistent and reliable power supply, capable of sustaining energy output even when sunlight or wind conditions varied.
The development process encountered multiple challenges, including delays in sourcing components, wind turbine inefficiencies, battery overcharging and rapid discharge, and calibration mismatches. Due to difficulties in obtaining the required materials, the researchers adapted by using locally sourced alternatives, such as electric fan blades, wood pieces, and mini breaker switches, which were modified to fit the wind turbine design. The wind turbine initially performed poorly at 10 ft due to low wind speeds and blade imbalance, leading to inconsistent energy generation. To address this, the turbine was relocated to 25 ft, where stronger winds improved its efficiency, and the blades were realigned to enhance aerodynamics. The battery experienced overcharging during peak solar output and discharged too quickly under load, which was resolved by adjusting the charge controller settings and activating a dump load to safely dissipate excess energy. Additionally, calibration mismatches in system components resulted in inefficiencies in power conversion, which were resolved by rechecking connections and recalibrating the inverter to ensure optimal performance. These adjustments allowed the system to function efficiently and reliably despite the initial setbacks.
The system’s performance was significantly influenced by temperature, humidity, and wind speed, which were recorded on December 4-5, 2024, in Barangay Graceville, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. The temperature remained between 23.9°C and 28.2°C, creating stable conditions for solar energy generation. Humidity levels fluctuated between 59% and 72%, but these variations had minimal impact on system efficiency. Wind speeds ranged from 10 km/h to 22 km/h, directly affecting the wind turbine’s energy output. The solar panel maintained an efficiency of 90%, generating 20W at peak sunlight, though this decreased to 17.1W in the evening due to lower solar intensity. Wind turbine performance depended on height and wind conditions, with the 25 ft turbine generating 30W consistently, whereas the 10 ft turbine produced only 15W during the day and 12.35W in the evening due to lower wind exposure. Under cloudy conditions, solar power output dropped by 15%, but the wind turbine at 25 ft compensated for the reduction, confirming that the hybrid system effectively balanced energy production under varying weather conditions.
The hybrid system demonstrated high energy efficiency, proving that integrating solar and wind energy enhances reliability and sustainability. The solar panel achieved 90% efficiency, converting 40W of input energy into 36W of usable power, while the 25 ft wind turbine showed the highest efficiency at 93.33%, producing 28W from a 30W input. In contrast, the 10 ft wind turbine had an efficiency of 83.33%, generating 15W from an 18W input, reinforcing the importance of height in wind energy capture. The inverter operated at 90% efficiency, minimizing energy loss during DC-to-AC conversion. The battery’s charge and discharge cycles were monitored to assess its performance. It stored 9Wh of energy during peak solar and wind generation periods and discharged 6Wh, achieving an overall storage efficiency of 66.67%. The charge controller regulated energy flow effectively, preventing overcharging and ensuring stable power delivery during low-generation periods. The system’s total power output was analyzed at different times of the day, with peak generation occurring in the afternoon at 50W, while the evening output remained stable at 43.55W, demonstrating the system’s ability to sustain power supply throughout the day. Additionally, the sun-tracking solar panel was found to be 39% more efficient than a static panel, as it produced 55.67Wh of energy daily, compared to 40Wh from a fixed panel. Although the sun-tracking system had a higher initial cost, its cost per watt-hour was lower, making it a more economical option in the long run. Optimized charge controller and inverter settings reduced energy loss by 50%, lowering daily energy costs by 20%. These findings validated that hybrid renewable energy systems are not only sustainable but also cost-effective and efficient.
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