Wind VS Solar
Ask any renewable energy expert which technology is more cost effective; wind power or solar power and the preferable choice is Wind Power.
Some would say that solar cells (PV) are a direct competitor to small wind turbines and we would propose that both technologies have their place in helping save our planet from green house gas emissions.
The question should not be; which renewable energy technology is better? but rather, the question should be; what is most appropriate and affordable green energy system for your location?
If you are in a class 2 or above wind resource zone which 65 % of North Americans are then wind power would be the favored option providing you local ordinates permit wind turbines. Providing you are in a low density location which almost 20 million North American households are - then wind power is the way to go.
Click here to view the US Wind Maps.
If you are in a class 1 wind resource zone and wind power is not an option, then the amount of annual sunshine will determine how effective a solar energy system would be for you.
Solar can be installed in high density locations because it is a passive producer of electricity - converting sunlight directly to electricity with no moving parts. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are used to do the energy conversion from sunlight to electricity. Unfortunately, most solar cells are small and require a number of these PV cells to produce limited amounts of electricity making it much costlier than wind power. On average a photovoltaic solar system installed is about $10,000 per kW compared to Wind that would cost approximately 50% of that price. Solar systems can also be difficult to install on existing homes for pitch of roof, direction of sun, loads of roof, maintenance and support etc... all play a factor in the installation.
Seasonal Weather is also something to consider. In colder climates where 25% of North Americans live in - very few consumers would like the task of going up on their roof and scraping the ice and snow off their solar panels in the winter in an effort to capture some energy from their cells. With wind power - the turbines just keep on going in sun, snow, rain and hail.
Wind power generators have years of engineering research, commercial power production hours and decades of proven service. The typical lifespan of a large and even a small wind turbine is decades with periodic maintenance. Comparatively with solar - the life span of today's solar panel technology is relatively short under a decade.
Sure there are times when the windiest locations in the world do not have any wind and there are also times that there is no SUN, the real nice thing about today's wind power and solar power technologies is that in most states and provinces in North America, net metering is in effect, making it possible for you to have the best of all worlds. Produce your own green power when possible and utilize the utility's power when needed. Making it a simple choice for you to save money and reduce your families green house gas emissions.
