The application of a hybrid wind/photovoltaic (PV) power generating sy
stem for utilization as a stand-alone or a network connected system is
investigated. The optimum combination of wind and PV generation coupl
ed with battery storage for a stand-alone system has been obtained for
a hypothetical site in Montana. Generation and storage units for the
hybrid system are properly sized in order to meet the annual load and
minimize the total annual cost to the customer. The optimal solutions
are found by a numerical study using the hourly load demand for a typi
cal residential home in the Northwestern US. Hourly wind speed and app
roximate solar radiation data have been used. (C) 1996 Elsevier Scienc
e S.A.