unéole proposes energy system combining solar and wind power

a combination that maximizes renewable energy production

French startup Unéole has developed a silent, mixed-energy system that combines solar and wind power. Specifically adapted to city buildings, the proposed mechanism comprises wind turbines covered with a photovoltaic rooftop to maximize energy production by 40%, compared to a pure solar solution. Indeed, pairing two renewable power sources gives the possibility to alternate between them depending on weather conditions. As photovoltaic efficiency relies on solar radiation, wind turbines can take over at night or during winter when radiations are usually weak, making them the ideal complement.

the wind turbines operate silently | all images courtesy of Unéole

low-carbon & low-cost. safe & silent

As well as maximizing production across all seasons, the Unéole hybrid energy system ‘allows us to offer the most profitable, balanced and least expensive urban renewable energy production system in carbon cost,’ writes the company. To ensure a low-carbon footprint, the wind turbines are built from recycled or recyclable materials (aluminum and stainless steel) and close to the operating site, promoting local production. The startup also adopts specific algorithms to determine the ideal number of wind turbines and photovoltaic panels for each type of building.

On the other hand, the French public agency CEREMA has certified that the startup’s wind turbines operate silently without producing any harmful electromagnetic waves for both humans and building equipment. ‘We have been able to test our wind turbines over several years thanks to the installations made for our customers and partners: the CUA, the city of Roubaix, social landlords, the CD2E, universities, etc.,‘ states Unéole.

proposing a hybrid mechanism with a low-carbon cost

the promise of unéole technology

Structure-wise, the Unéole system combines a row of wind turbines topped with solar panels, totaling a height of about four meters. The company works closely with a specialized design office, ESER, to adapt its technology to all types of flat roofs holding an area of 150 sqm or more. Last year, the team installed an experimental device at the CD2e LumiWatt site in Loos-en-Gohelle, Pas-de-Calais. If performance keeps looking as promising as it does now, the Unéole platform will hopefully go into larger-scale production with the funds currently being raised.

the silent wind turbines are topped with a 100%-covered photovoltaic roof