Believe it or not, there is some inefficiency in the renewable energy industry. For instance, what happens on a wind farm when there is no wind? What if there are several dreary days and the only energy system a place has are solar panels? We sought to change all of that, and spent years doing research to come up with the best possible solution.
The technology incorporates BOTH solar and wind energy into a hybrid technology known as a Solar Windmill. This innovative product consists of solar panels mounted atop three rotating wind turbines. Together, the three turbines are known as the “Tri-Helix”, they resemble twisting DNA strands. This technology allows for the integration of solar and wind energy into a much more efficient sustainable energy system. The compact, low profile design means that the Tri-Helix SolarMill has the most dense energy-generation capability of any renewable energy product on the market. The Tri-Helix wind turbines are also silent, which means they are completely safe for wildlife, and don’t disturb the neighbors!
The system has been designed to last 20 years, so there’s no need to worry about needing to replace it any time soon. The product houses a solar charge controller as well as “Maximum Power Point Tracking electronics,” which both work to maximize the power generation capability of the solar panels and the wind turbines together.
The hybrid between solar and wind energy is the missing link in clean energy; because wind-only and solar-only systems are only able to work when that resource is available. By combining both into one hybrid system, we are able to produce a more consistent renewable energy solution. So now, we will not only be able to harness the suns energy during the day, we will be able to harness wind energy at night, when solar power is not available.
The Tri-Helix wind turbines are able to improve on the current limitations for harvesting wind power. Most wind turbines begin turning in wind speed of five miles per hour, and will not start generating power until wind speed reaches 15 miles per hour. The Tri-Helix works with just a fraction of this amount of wind. The Tri-Helix turbines start turning in winds of just two miles per hour and will generate power when wind speed reaches four miles per hour. This is a huge difference in the amount of wind energy available for harvest, making this the ideal choice for renewable energy based on the wind requirements alone.
In many parts of the world, there is often not enough of one resource to justify the expense of either a wind-only or solar-only energy system. This system is perfect for any location because it can utilize either solar or wind energy, or both, depending on the environmental conditions of the day. The extremely low wind requirements make this even more appealing in areas that don’t often experience 15 mile per hour winds.
The system has been tested and proven successful all over the world, in many different climates. It has been used in frigid Scandinavia, as well as tropical Caribbean Islands where salt spray is often an issue. It has also been proven successful in the hot, sandy desert of the Middle East. One of many notable examples of the technology’s success is in India, where it has helped businesses comply with mandatory reductions in carbon emissions.
Overview
The Tri-Helix SolarMill, hybrid system is based on a modular, scalable, distributed renewable energy system designed and optimized for on and off grid installations. At its core is a highly efficient wind energy device, utilizing three (3) low-profile vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) mounted on a single base. The units can be interconnected to increase a user’s energy production capability in low speed and turbulent wind environments commonly found at lower elevations. The turbines begin producing power from wind speeds as low as two (2) meters per second. With a design life of 20 years, the turbines are silent and do not pose a threat to wildlife.
In an effort to provide more consistent energy generation than a “wind only” or “solar only” system, we have developed a first-of-its-kind, fully integrated, renewable energy “HYBRID” product. The Tri-Helix SolarMill incorporates P.V. technology within a compact footprint, creating the greatest energy generation density for any product on the market. The hybrid concept of the Tri-Helix SolarMill is unique, seamlessly utilizing wind and solar energy generation in one unit. This allows the product to be an effective solution in markets where the natural resources available for wind or solar energy alone do not justify investment into any small wind product.
TH1-1 Product Mode
Onboard each Tri-Helix SolarMill is a proprietary Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) electronics and solar charge controller, which maximize the power handling and generation capabilities of both the wind turbines and solar panels. This system maintains all power generation at maximum efficiency without the need for additional hardware or software. Standard solar or wind systems do not offer this ability, as this is unique to this platform.
Hybrid Solutions
The engineers have developed a product to overcome the “inconsistent” nature of renewable energy resources. By integrating wind and solar technologies in a single unit, now, for the first time, a customer can reliably depend on a renewable energy generation device. A hybrid energy solution levels out the highs and lows of energy generation periods due to seasonality as solar irradiation and wind speeds change throughout the course of the year. A truly hybrid solution will compensate for seasonal losses of power generation not solely depending on one type of renewable energy system. It is easy to see that the combination of wind and solar is a natural one, and one which is complementary on a seasonal basis.
As seen above, winter months with typical reductions in solar irradiance (shorter days) bring an increased power in potential wind energy. This relationship extends to the daily cycle as well. During the mid-day, wind speeds are typically lower, but the solar potential is high. Conversely, at night winds are more typical, but there is no power available to the P.V. elements in the system. P.V. is operational only during daylight hours, which limits the overall production of a system. Wind has the potential to produce 24 hours a day, given the right conditions, but most importantly throughout evening hours when solar is not available.
We have determined the renewable resources available in 90% of the world can easily justify a hybrid energy system, not just to balance annual energy output, but to capture the available resources at the lowest cost per watt in the market for a renewable energy platform.
Technology: Product Features
All components of the system from the turbine blades to the neodymium magnets used in the generators have been designed and tested to operate in the harshest of environments.
High Performance
Turbines
At the core of each product is the Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) that have been selected for use by the engineers. In developing the product, there has been extensive research regarding the design and construction of Savonius type turbines.
Our models involve light, efficient turbines that have enough transient response to fully take advantage of the energy creation opportunity that bursts of wind provide. The turbines want to be optimized for the wind speeds that are typical in the urban landscapes and capable of collecting wind energy when others have not yet started, which our Savonius design has made possible. There is currently a proprietary stamping process (pilotless progressive die with differential pre-stretch) for the turbine blade in the U.S.
Generators
The topology we’ve chosen is a coreless axial-flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machine. Typical generators are high-speed, low-torque devices. In those cases a gearbox is used to increase the rotational speed of the rotors inside the generator. Gearboxes add additional friction, negatively affecting performance and efficiency, and require periodic maintenance. Gearboxes are the single most common point of failure in any wind turbine. We utilize a direct drive permanent magnet solution which is free from the maintenance issues that commonly plague gear driven generators. AFPM machines can offer greater torque capability operating at lower speeds. The generator was custom-designed specifically matched to the torque of the turbine thus optimizing the rotational and torque characteristics of the turbine to the generator.
Electronics: Wind and Solar
With a proprietary designed MPPT electronics circuitry which controls all aspects of the power generation of both the wind and solar sections of the products. This “smart” controller handles the onboard electronics that properly load the generators and output the energy that is then used by the customer. The controller dynamically adjusts each of the generators in the system based on wind speed and direction of the wind in order to maximize the power that can be extracted from the available wind energy. This processor controlled unit then rectifies the AC power to DC and passes it along to the adjacent system to be summed and either stored to a battery and then passed along to an inverter and used by the customer.
On and Off Grid Installation
These are distributed energy systems designed for either grid connected, or off-grid applications. The product utilizes a built in charge controller to regulate a 48v DC lead acid battery system. When grid connected, the electrical energy created is directly fed into the electrical service panel offsetting the overall draw. In off-grid applications, it is output via a DC/AC or DC/DC converter according to the type of loads that need to be served.
Reliable
Corrosion Resistant & Steel Construction
All steel parts are pre-galvanized and also powder coated, which provides another level of corrosion resistance. Aluminum or Stainless components are used where appropriate. The main structure is made of heavy gauge steel for enduring strength. All fasteners are stainless and the plastics are stabilized against UV so they won’t break down in the sunlight.
Circuit Protection
The electronics provide circuit protection for over-voltage and over-current by monitoring the current and voltage in each system.
Mechanical Braking System
The unit is equipped with a failsafe centrifugal braking system designed to protect the turbines and generators at high wind speeds. The braking system is self-resetting and will automatically disengage when the wind dies down. The brake provides no friction prior to engaging.
Affordable
Easy Assembly
The systems are mass-produced utilizing manufacturing processes commonly found in the automotive and aerospace industries and a patented (pending) process to produce our steel turbines. These products produce energy from winds coming from any direction, pose no threat to the environment or to wildlife, are silent and free from hazards and other mechanical deficiencies often found in horizontal axis devices, and do not require complicated masts, guy wires or foundations for installation.
Mounting Options
There are several options for mounting, which can be configured to multiple heights and can accept panels as necessary. They can accommodate practically any roof type. In some instances it is unnecessary to penetrate the roof and you may use a ballasted structure instead.