Profit-maximizing utility-scale hybrid wind-PV farm modeling and optimization

Even though more and more utility-scale renewable energy farms are popping up across the globe, the potential of maximizing energy harvesting through hybrid Wind-Photovoltaic systems has not been thoroughly explored. Granted most PV farm locations don´t necessarily have great wind resources, most land-based wind parks are under-utilizing the land they occupy by not collecting the solar radiation being cast in between the turbines. Because the price of photovoltaic systems has dropped dramatically over the past few years, the addition of PV panels to already existing, as well as planned, wind energy projects has become economically advantageous. In this paper a framework will be presented to optimize such an upgrade or plan a future project in order to maximize the returns for the operating utility. The approach will be using a genetic algorithm and minimization function to find the exact number and placement of wind turbines and solar panels given hourly solar irradiance, temperature, wind speed and wind direction data at the location. The fitness function will use models to accurately estimate the yearly energy produced considering the wake effects of upwind turbines and the shadows these will cast on the panels. Each configuration will then be evaluated using industry financial models in order to maximize the return on investment.