Wind Turbine Vs Solar Panel

Wind generators are mechanical devices and a certain amount of maintenance is required.

Wind turbine vs solar panel.

The two main choices for renewable energy equipment are wind turbines and solar panels. Solar has a 16 000 lower upfront cost 29 reduction and a 61 reduction overall. Solar panels are easier and cheaper to maintain than wind turbines another advantage of solar energy is that solar panels and equipment usually require little maintenance over time. Denmark for example harvest 40 of all it s energy from wind turbines.

Wind power has now reached 4 of total energy production in the world and some countries gain a significant part of their electricity requirements from wind sources. Wind turbine systems can run as high as 65 000 installed while the average cost nationally for a professionally installed solar panel system is about 8 to 9 per watt. In fact one wind turbine can generate the same amount of electricity per kwh as about 48 704 solar panels. A single wind turbine can generate the same amount of electricity in kwh or kilowatt hours as thousands of solar panels.

Pro and con comparison of solar vs wind power. Wind turbines can also generate power all around the clock. Wind power is considered more efficient than solar because these systems use less energy release less carbon dioxide and produce more overall energy. In order to be effective wind turbines need to be situated high above any obstacles that would block the wind.

Wind comes with a significant caveat however. The primary benefit of wind over solar power for your home is that wind turbines aren t dependent on sunlight. Wind is a more efficient power source than solar. Putting energy generation in context one wind turbine can generate the exact amount of electricity per hour as over 47 000 solar panels.

There is no noise factor to contend with and panels can stay out in practically any weather. Turbines are very efficient devices for generating power. But the energy produced by wind turbines doesn t make it a clear winner. Compared to solar panels wind turbines release less co2 to the atmosphere consume less energy and produce more energy overall.

As you can see solar is the obvious choice on a small scale and has many advantages. The positives on solar panels are that solar panels require little maintenance last 25 years or longer and are completely safe. This means that they have the ability to generate power 24 hours a day whereas solar panels only generate power during sunlight hours. That means a 2 kilowatt kw grid tied system with no battery back up can run to 16 000 and a similar 5 kw system could cost upwards of 40 000.

When considering a off grid or grid connect power system. Wind only starts to make economic sense when you look at it from a utility scale. Their carbon dioxide emission is lower than that of the solar panels. It really depends on your geographical location and energy requirements but given the substantial investment involved with either solar vs wind options.