A novel combined solar concentration/wind augmentation system: Constructions and preliminary testing of a prototype

This study presents construction and preliminary testing of a prototype combined solar concentration/wind augmentation (CSCWA) system, which uses a single slightly deep parabolic dish. The dish concentrator in the prototype CSCWA system has a front opening of 1 m diameter, a base opening of 0.5 m diameter and a depth of 0.5 m. A Rutland 503 wind turbine is installed within a short duct connected to the base opening of the concentrator. A 80 mm × 70 mm PV module is installed at the center of the duct and slightly away from the hub of the wind turbine. The prototype CSCWA system is installed on a 2-axis solar tracking system. The preliminary testing will be carried out to investigate I–V and operating characteristics of the concentrating PV module under the sunny sky and the wind turbine in the windy weather. These results will provide a basis for the system control design and analysis of its feasibility.

► We made a prototype combined solar and wind hybrid power generation system. ► A single slightly deep parabolic dish is the solar concentrator, but also the wind augmentation. ► The efficiency of the solar PV module is increased by 5%. ► The short circuit current of the wind turbine is increased by about 10% averagely.