By Tim Henderson
When you want to make your home more ecologically friendly, choosing renewable power is a surefire way to get started. Do you know what kind of system might be the best fit for your property?
Many factors are at play in the battle of solar versus wind for homes. Understanding these basics could help you stay green without making your life overly complicated.
Solar power systems use the sun’s radiation to create electric voltages that can supply households, recharge vehicles, fill home batteries and let you sell energy back to your local utility. Wind turbines can serve the same purpose, but they work by using the wind’s kinetic energy to spin propellers and operate mechanical generators.
There are remarkable functional differences between these options. Although both are reliant on external forces, solar panels enjoy a more consistent source. They also don’t depend on moving parts. As we’ll see, these critical distinctions play a vital role in determining which option is best for your home.
Many factors affect the efficiency of solar and wind power systems. For instance, failing to choose an optimal location for a wind turbine or solar panel can reduce the viability of either method.
Trials in the U.K., however, have shown that many residential settings make wind turbines harder to position correctly for maximum output. These systems require high-altitude positioning and sufficient distance from windbreaks, such as trees and other buildings.
Assuming that you’ve chosen the ideal spot for a turbine or panel, which one will output the most useful energy? Some experiments suggest that when comparing solar and wind systems of similar cost, solar may generate about five times as much electricity. Other studies show that the wind’s unpredictability may contribute to increased inefficiencies over the long run.
As the New York Times and CleanTechnica report, modern solar and wind power both offer clean, competitively priced alternatives to fossil fuels. Their shared affordability doesn’t mean, however, that they’re on equal footing.
Remember wind turbines’ reliance on moving parts? These components routinely have to deal with significant shear forces and operate at high angular velocities. Such stresses can rapidly wear down the systems you paid for, which results in added maintenance that home solar solutions just don’t incur. Upkeep costs matter, and if you fail to stay on top of them, you may spend even more on repairs.
Wind turbines do have certain pros. For instance, they can create energy at nighttime if the wind is blowing, although this isn’t always guaranteed. Their ability to capture wind at lofty heights may also make them more advantageous in rural areas with lots of wide-open spaces where it’s important to minimize a system’s footprint.
Even though solar power systems thrive when they incorporate effective solar monitoring tools, they don’t require nearly as much oversight just to prevent breakdowns. In addition to demanding more intensive monitoring, wind turbines are vulnerable to a host of hazards, such as lightning strikes, excessive wind speeds and storms.
According to most experts, wind turbines need to be installed at heights of around 80 feet. While this factor alone takes them off the table for many Californians who face local zoning ordinances, turbines also suffer from challenges like requiring wind speeds of at least 12 mph and creating noise pollution.
Solar lets you produce power affordably without as much hassle. True, solar panels need upkeep like any other property, but these systems are known for their superior reliability.
Solar systems’ lack of moving parts prompts many manufacturers and installers to offer longer warranties, so it’s possible to absorb the operating costs more economically. When you consider these factors along with benefits like silent operation, minimal space requirements, easy monitoring and more predictable energy output, solar seems like the clear choice for homeowners.
Confused about research that claims wind beats solar in terms of overall ecological impact? It’s important to realize that many of these studies refer to utility-scale applications and specific geographic regions.
Academics note that cost, convenience and environmental damage factors vary by location. Most experts agree that advancements in solar technology make it the better option for home-scale power.
The solar versus wind residential applications debate is far from over, but for now, sun-powered systems seem to be firmly on top. Some rural homeowners benefit from installing hybrid wind and solar systems that take advantage of both, but most Californians will find it easiest to stick to roof-mounted panels.
Sandbar Solar has been planning and installing successful home solar solutions for more than 13 years. As the Central Coast’s go-to experts on improving people’s property values and quality of life with viable clean energy, we love educating the community on the best ways to go green. Talk to us about your Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose or Bay Area alternative energy project
Tim has worked in the solar industry since 2008. He has a Master's Degree in Energy Resources Engineering from Stanford University. His years of experience include working on solar energy projects for both homes and commercial properties. Tim enjoys sharing his knowledge of this evolving industry and making a difference in his community.