E. Koutroulis, K. Kalaitzakis, N. C. Voulgaris, J. Kaliakatsos and S. Sideris, “A
Hybrid PV – Wind Generator System Using a Maximum Power Point Tracking
Technique”, presented at International Conference “Renewable Energies for Islands - Towards 100% RES Supply”, Chania, Crete, 2001.
A hybrid renewable energy system is described which consists of twelve photovoltaic (PV) panels and a windgenerator and can supply continuous electric power of 1.5 kW. An Energy Management System (EMS) was developed for thispurpose in order to maximize the electric power produced using a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method andconsists of Buck-type DC/DC converters controlled by a microcontroller. The main difference between the method used in thissystem and other techniques used in the past is that the generated power controls directly the DC/DC converters, thus reducingthe complexity of the system. The resulting system has high efficiency, lower cost and can be easily modified to handle moreenergy sources. Experimental results show that the use of the MPPT control method may increase the output power of the PVpanels by as much as 15%. The energy produced by the renewable energy sources can be stored in lead-acid batteries for astable supply of electric power. The system can be also connected to a diesel generator, in which case, it becomes 100%autonomous and can be used to supply power to a TV repeater or other applications in islands and remote places.