This study is a contribution to the analysis Of energy production by hybrid systems using renewable energy sources. It is realized within the framework of an isolated site, i.e., without any connection to an electrical network. Generally, with the conventional solutions for energy production, the needs in terms of electrical energy and thermal energy are met separately. In this paper, we explore an alternative approach based on a strategy of hybridization which uses energy conversion to meet the energy needs. In this alternative approach, a large part of the directly produced thermal energy is replaced by electrical energy and an air/water heat pump variable input power is introduced to ensure a crossover between the thermal energy flow and the electrical energy flow. The contributions of this work can be summarized as follows. Firstly, we propose a methodology to control the functioning of the air/water heat pump variable input power. Secondly, we compare the potential of thermal energy production of two subsystems and we show the interest of using energy conversion according to the type of climate. Thirdly, we present a case study. More precisely, the study is realized for representative locations in France. The objective is twofold. First, an analysis of the energy potential at the representative sites is given. Second, it is established that the energy produced is increased by using the hybridization strategy based on energy conversion, especially in winter which is the critical period in terms of both electrical and thermal needs. Simulation and experimental results are presented and analyzed to show the interest of introducing a pump heat in the hybrid system, mainly when using the technology with variable input power. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.