Wind Turbine/Solar Panels

One of the issues with adding mechatronic components to solar panels for maximum light exposure are the difficulties in installation. Since there will be miles of solar panels to install, we want to create and design with simplicity in mind. One way to save space could be choosing a cylindrical solar panel instead of a flat planar panel. After speaking to the Solar team, I found some sources online that turns solar panels into working wind turbines as well. Not only would our design be able to gather energy from the sun, but also double up with wind energy. The figure shown below are two concept drawings of how the turbine might look like. The second concept drawing might have a higher efficiency due to a larger surface area. An article from Alternative Energy Info (http://www.alt-energy.info/wind-power/best-of-both-worlds-the-bluenergy-solar-wind-turbine/) provided the idea of turning solar panels into wind turbine as well.

Two concept drawings of a wind turbine solar panel.