Feasibility of hybrid (wind plus solar) power systems for Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Hourly mean wind-speed and solar radiation data for the period 1986-1993 [except the years 1989 (some data is missing) and 1991 (Gulf War)] recorded at the solar radiation and meteorological monitoring station, Dhahran (26 degrees 32' N, 50 degrees 13' E), Saudi Arabia, have been analyzed to report the monthly variation of wind speed and solar radiation, probability distribution of wind speed and to investigate the feasibility of using hybrid (wind+solar) energy conversion systems at Dhahran. The monthly average wind speeds for Dhahran range from 4.21 to 6.97 m/s. The monthly average daily values of solar radiation for Dhahran range from 3.61 kwh/sq.m to 7.96 kwh/sq.m. The hybrid system considered in the present analysis consists of two 10 kW Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS), 120 sq.m of Photovoltaic (PV) panels together with a battery storage system and a diesel back-up. The monthly average daily energy generated from the above hybrid system has been presented. The energy generated from the back-up diesel generator and the no. of operational hours of the diesel system to meet a specific annual electrical energy demand of 41531 kWh have also been presented. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.