Telecom & monitoring
Cell towers, microwave repeaters and measuring stations without a stable grid: wind and PV charge the battery around the clock, diesel becomes the backup.
Telecom & remote power
Wind solar hybrid system for off-grid power
A wind solar hybrid system combines a small wind turbine with solar PV and battery storage to create a reliable off grid power system. Solar produces during the day and in summer, wind also at night and in winter. So the battery can be smaller than with solar alone, and the diesel generator becomes a mere backup.
- up to 28 kW
- WindSun: wind turbine and solar PV in one system
- 0.5–8 kW
- Single turbines for battery and off-grid systems
- from 3 m/s
- Start-up wind speed of LuvSide vertical turbines
- 24/48 V
- Charges standard battery packs via programmable controllers
Yield profiles
Why wind and solar complement each other
A solar-only off-grid system has to bridge every night and every overcast week from its batteries. That is exactly when an off grid wind turbine often delivers: in the evening, at night, during low-pressure weather and in the darker months. A solar wind hybrid system smooths the generation curve across the day and across the year.
For operators this means less storage capacity, fewer deep discharges, longer battery life and far fewer generator running hours. How well the profiles complement each other depends on the site – which is why every LuvSide project starts with a site assessment.
- Wind
- Solar PV
- Wind + PV combined
Solar PV only produces between sunrise and sunset with a midday peak. Wind blows around the clock and is often stronger in the evening and at night. Combined, the daily curve is much smoother. Schematic illustration, site-dependent.
- Wind
- Solar PV
- Wind + PV combined
Solar PV peaks in summer, wind in autumn and winter. Together the seasons largely balance each other out. Schematic illustration, site-dependent.
Applications
Where off grid solar and wind make the difference
Agriculture & agrivoltaics
Pumps, cooling, electric fences and barns away from the grid: WindSun combines agri-PV and a wind turbine on the same plot.
Discover WindSunCommercial & infrastructure
Own power against outages and rising tariffs – as at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, where load shedding is part of everyday life.
Cape Town referenceHarbours, boats & flat roofs
The LS Double Helix 0.5 Marina charges 48 V batteries almost silently and fills the gaps of a solar system on board or on the jetty.
Battery sizing
How big does the battery need to be?
The battery of an off-grid system bridges the time when neither wind nor sun produce enough. Three values are enough for a first estimate:
- Daily consumption (kWh/day): from the load profile or meter data, including inrush currents of pumps and cooling.
- Days of autonomy: how long the system has to run without meaningful generation. Critical applications typically plan for 3–7 days; wind solar hybrids usually need fewer than solar-only systems.
- Usable depth of discharge: lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries reach 4,000–6,000 cycles and allow deep discharge.
Battery capacity = daily consumption × days of autonomy ÷ usable depth of discharge
Cost comparison
Wind solar hybrid vs. diesel generator: total cost of ownership
A diesel generator is cheap to buy but expensive to run. A hybrid system is the opposite: higher upfront investment, no fuel, less maintenance and logistics. Over the lifetime, operation decides – not the purchase price.
| Criterion | Diesel generator (alone) | Wind solar hybrid with storage |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | low (typ. USD 800–2,000/kW plus tank) | higher (small wind typ. USD 3,000–8,000/kW incl. tower and foundation); LuvSide quote on request |
| Fuel | ongoing, approx. 0.25–0.30 l diesel per kWh, volatile prices | none – wind and sunlight are free |
| Logistics | regular refuelling, storage, theft risk | no fuel deliveries; turbines cannot simply be carried away |
| Maintenance | oil change every 250–500 operating hours, filters, overhauls | annual inspection, typ. 1–3% of investment per year |
| Levelised cost of energy | typ. USD 0.30–0.80/kWh, more at very remote sites | typ. USD 0.10–0.25/kWh (small wind at good wind sites) |
| CO₂ & noise | approx. 2.6 kg CO₂ per litre of diesel, 60–80 dB | no CO₂ in operation, small wind approx. 35–45 dB |
| Supply | weather-independent as long as fuel is available | 24/7 from wind, PV and battery; diesel optional as backup |
Ranges are typical industry values (2025) and do not replace a project calculation. More in our article wind solar hybrid vs. diesel generator.
LuvSide’s hybrid system
WindSun: solar PV and wind power on one foundation
WindSun combines the LS HuraKan 8.0 horizontal axis wind turbine with a solar module made of solar tubes into one system with up to 28 kW nominal power. An intelligent controller coordinates both sources – for example by switching on the wind turbine at night via the solar system. Turbine and PV share a concrete-free lightweight foundation.
- approx. 28 kW nominal power at 11 m/s
- up to 145% energy yield per kWp compared with conventional PV
- solar tubes at 4.5 m height: the land below stays usable
- total height around 15 m, ready for operation within three to six months
Turbines for hybrid and off-grid systems
The right turbine for your energy demand
WindSun: Sun & wind power
Horizontal wind turbine & photovoltaics
- Nominal power: approx. 28 kW at 11 m/s
- Annual yield: depending on the PV module
- Rotor diameter: 6.0 m / PV = variable
- Scar height: 12.0 m
LS HuraKan 8.0
Horizontal wind power turbine
- Nominal power: 8.0 kW at 11 m/s
- Annual yield: approx. 12.000 kWh
- Rotor diameter: 6.0 m
- Hub height: 12.0 m
- ...
LS Helix 3.0
Vertical wind turbine
- Nominal power: 3.0 kW at 16m/s
- Annual yield: approx. 2.500 kWh
- Diameter: 2.2 m
- Height: 4.0 m
- ...
LS Double Helix 1.0
Vertical wind turbine
- Nominal power: 1.0 kW at 15 m/s
- Annual yield: approx. 1.000 kWh
- Diameter: 1.4 m
- Height: 3.0 m
- ...
References
Proven in South Africa – from the waterfront to the cell tower
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
In March 2024 LuvSide installed four LS Double Helix 1.0 at the V&A Waterfront, funded by the RES programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative. In a country with frequent load shedding, the project shows how small wind strengthens on-site supply.
Cell tower, Dana Bay
In summer 2024 a South African network operator commissioned LuvSide to install a test system on a cell tower. The goal: replace diesel generators, which are frequently stolen, with wind and storage.
Guides
More on hybrid systems, storage and off-grid power
Application & Operation, Sustainability, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
Off-Grid Wind Energy: Guide to Energy Independence
How does a business or remote site become energy independent? The basics of off grid power, the right energy sources and 8 proven strategies – from wind solar hybrid systems to battery storage.
More info
LuvSide News, Wind Turbines, Solar Power & Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
Wind Solar Hybrid vs Diesel Generator: Off-Grid Guide
Diesel generator or wind solar hybrid system with storage? This comparison covers power output, fuel and maintenance costs, levelised cost of energy and emissions – and explains why hybrid systems are displacing diesel at remote sites.
More info
LuvSide News, Solar Power & Wind Turbines, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
Wind Solar Hybrid Storage: Industrial Guide
Wind, solar PV and battery storage as one integrated system: technical basics, core components, sizing, economics and implementation steps for industrial and commercial projects.
More info
Application & Operation, Horizontal Wind Power, LuvSide News, Vertical Wind Power, Wind Energy, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
How Wind Solar Hybrid Systems Cut Operating Costs
This article examines how combining wind turbines with solar panels creates cost synergies across fuel savings, maintenance reduction, optimized energy storage, and extended equipment lifespans—with practical guidance on system sizing, component selection, and implementation strategies that maximize return on investment.
More info
LuvSide News, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
Telecom Tower Power: Hybrid Wind-Solar Systems
Telecom towers need power around the clock – often far from the grid. How hybrid wind-solar systems with battery storage replace diesel generators, meet SLA requirements and cut operating costs at telecom sites.
More info
LuvSide News, References & Projects, Vertical Wind Power
Small Wind Power Against Outages in South Africa
In the windy regions of South Africa, small wind turbines are an adequate option for taking the power supply into one’s own hands. In any case, they are the cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to diesel generators, which are harmful to health and the environment. Our aim is to anchor this awareness in the South African population.
More infoFAQ
Questions about wind solar hybrid systems
What is a wind solar hybrid system?
A wind solar hybrid system combines one or more small wind turbines with solar panels, a battery bank and a shared controller. Because wind and sun produce at different times of day and year, the supply is much steadier than with a single source.
Is a wind solar hybrid system better than solar alone?
Wherever power is needed at night, in winter or during long overcast periods, usually yes. Wind fills exactly those gaps, so the battery can be smaller and the backup generator runs far less. At sites with very little wind, solar plus storage may be sufficient – a site assessment tells you which applies.
How much wind does an off grid wind turbine need?
LuvSide’s vertical turbines start producing power from 3 m/s. For an economical project, an average wind speed of at least about 4 m/s at hub height is a good rule of thumb. Coastal, hilltop and open sites are usually well suited.
How do I size the battery for an off grid wind and solar system?
Rule of thumb: daily consumption × days of autonomy ÷ usable depth of discharge. With 10 kWh per day, 3 days of autonomy and 80% depth of discharge you need about 37.5 kWh. Hybrid systems typically need fewer days of autonomy than solar-only systems.
Can a hybrid system replace a diesel generator?
In many cases yes – or it reduces running hours drastically. Hybrid controllers integrate wind and PV into existing diesel and battery systems and only start the generator when the state of charge drops below a threshold, so existing generators can stay on site as backup.
What is the best off grid power system for remote sites?
For sites that need power 24/7 – telecom towers, monitoring stations, farms, remote facilities – a combination of wind, solar and battery storage with an optional backup generator is usually the most reliable and economical option. It avoids fuel logistics while covering nights and winters.
How much does a wind solar hybrid system cost?
The cost depends on power rating, tower height, foundation, PV area, battery size and installation effort. LuvSide provides a binding quote after a site assessment, including a yield forecast and a comparison with your current diesel or grid costs.
Do you offer hybrid systems for homes?
LuvSide develops systems for businesses, agriculture and infrastructure. As a private customer, please contact one of our distribution partners in your region.
Planning an off grid power system?
Tell us about your site and energy demand. Our engineers assess wind conditions and load profile and size turbine, PV and battery to match – also as an addition to an existing diesel generator.
Private customer? Our distribution partners will be happy to advise you locally.
