Wind Energy Potential

In general, in order to deploy an effective and viable RETS wind turbine, a good source of wind is required. This examination of the site determines how much potential wind energy is available in an area targeted for the RETS deployment. In order to correctly size the wind component of a hybrid RETS or a wind turbine stand-alone RETS deployment, the following information must be gathered:

1. average annual wind speed,
2. prevailing wind directions,
3. vegetation and man-made obstacles at the site,
4. topology (hills, valleys, elevations, etc.).

The details gathered above shall be used as input for the site survey to determine deployment attributes such as the height of the tower in order for the turbine to be positioned within good laminar wind flow, and the location of the tower in relation to the obstacles that may impact the wind energy available to harvest. Another important factor is the topology which may impact the location of the tower in relation to the location of the energy usage, and therefore, other factors such as line loss must be factored into the equation and therefore, impact the cost of the deployment. Given the location of the site before the site visit, it is possible to conduct an initial site potential using available climatological data available such as the Canadian Wind Energy Atlas.

Solar Energy Potential

Whether integrated as a hybrid solution or stand-alone solar energy generation, the following are the major considerations:

1. availability of sunlight (seasonal peak sunlight hours),
2. vegetation and man-made obstacles at the site,
3. automated tracking arrays / manually adjusted arrays / fixed arrays.

In order to determine the potential solar energy available, depending upon location, the average daily number of peak sunlight hours must be determined for two seasons, the summer and winter. In Canada, generally, there is twice as much sunlight is available in the summer than in winter. Therefore, to calculate the general efficiency of a solar array, it is best to average the peak sunlight hours per month between the summer and winter values. One can squeeze more energy from sunlight by incorporating automated tracking devices which position the panels in the most efficient angle of inclination. However, to save costs, a manual method of adjustment four times annually (summer, fall/spring, winter) may provide similar efficiences as automated tracking devices.

References

1. Canadian Solar Industries Association. Peak Solar Maps
2. Power Up Solar. Insolation Maps
3. Environment Canada. Canadian Wind Energy Atlas