Over the last couple of decades remote telecommunications sites have proliferated. A classic remote site is in some distant and picturesque location where the alternative to a mixed wind/solar power supply is a diesel generator. The rugged dependability and very good low wind speed performance of Ampair wind turbines makes them an ideal choice in these circumstances.
More recently the introduction of pico cell networks (such as self meshing wireless LANs) has led to the use of mixed wind/solar power supplies in urban networks. Clearly grid connected electrical supplies exist in these areas but it can often be unsafe, expensive or administratively inconvenient to bring them the relatively short distance required to make the connection to the transmitter. A particular advantage of Ampair wind turbines in urban and suburban locations is that they are very quiet.
An advantage of using a mixed wind/solar system is that if the transmitter requires resiting then the entire power supply can be lifted and shifted without losing the investment. This makes it particularly attractive when installing trial networks, if transmitter location is uncertain, or when installing temporary networks for short events.
In many upland areas in wetter climates the UW microhydro system can be installed as part of a mixed system if there is a nearby stream. Water derived power is fairly predictable in nature and so it is well worth trying to take advantage of local streams if they exist.
