Scientists from the University of Liverpool have upgraded an everyday wind turbine with innovative set of spinning solar blades. The entire team, led by Dr. Joe King, unveiled an innovative solution to perplex critics who state wind turbines are useful only while the wind is blowing. Well, their design even doubles the functionality of conventional turbines by integrating photovoltaic technology. The team however faced some problems. There was a real anxiety that the turbines could blind aircraft pilots and anyone living in the vicinity. Besides this, on hot days, the turbines would create lethal solar rays, which could set buildings on fire if concentrated. In order to cope up with such issues, scientists invented a tinted solar panel that does not mirror sunbeams. The team is now resolving on where to install their model solar wind turbine. “We are confident that we could transform the world’s vital renewable energy needs”, said Dr. King.
Designer : Scientists from the University of Liverpool via [Inhabitat]
Why not just have the solar panels on the ground under the wind turbines where they work most effectively?
There is plenty of space there…. think people think
Possibly have something on the ground that generates more wind by collecting heat from the solar rays to heat air and therefore generate more wind for turbines……could be easier ways to make this stuff work well
The only problem with this is that it would take up too much area to build solar panels on the ground. Constructing them onto the wind turbines essentially "kills two birds with one stone".
The material of the solar panel is fragile and not as flexible as the carbon/glass/kevlar fiber & will be teared off by strong wind when the turbines are rolling. High maintain cost when put them on the wind turbine.
What if the wind is blowing opposite the direction of the sun's rays?