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Home wind turbine vs solar install#

Wind and solar are both excellent ways to power your home without adding to your carbon footprint – but solar is the clear winner for us. Which is better: Solar panels or wind turbines? How many solar panels does it take to equal the power of a wind turbine?Īccording to Direct Energy, if your local wind speed is 10 mph, a new wind turbine will produce an average of 2.8 kWh per day – which is about the equivalent of 8 solar panels.Ĭonsidering a 4kWp (13-16 panels) solar panel system will only set you back around £5,420, it’s safe to say that solar is the much more economical option here. Connection to the grid – If your home isn’t connected to the grid, wind power is an excellent way to run your home As a rough guide, a 1.5kW turbine (in an area with an average wind speed of 14mph ) would meet the needs of a home using 300kWh per month. How big does your turbine need to be? – Before you dip into your savings for a wind turbine, it’s worth working out which size you’ll need, and whether it’s affordable.

Unfortunately, the rules and regulations are different around the UK, so prepare yourself for some in-depth research.

Do you need planning permission? – Depending on where you live, you might need planning permission to set up a wind turbine.

Home wind turbine vs solar install#

So if you live near the coast, don’t complain about the wind – utilise it! You can find out the average wind speed in your area using an online calculator, or install an anemometer (wind gauge) for a more precise figure.

Wind speed is key – T o make your turbine more efficient, you need to live somewhere with a recommended wind speed of five metres per second.

If you live in a city or a built-up neighbourhood, solar panels will be a better match for your home. Any surrounding houses, trees, or hills will cause turbulence in the wind – meaning you won’t get the most out of your turbine.

Watch out for obstructions – Although wind power is one of the most efficient renewable energy sources, it can be quite temperamental if there are any obstructions.

If you’re considering getting a wind turbine, check the points below to see whether your home is an ideal location. In a nutshell, wind turbines are only worth installing if you live in an isolated area. Looks like solar secures the victory on this one. On top of this, off-the-grid batteries will also need replacing every 6 to 10 years, with prices varying depending on the design and scale.Īlthough a well-maintained turbine should last more than 20 years, you may need to replace the inverter during this time, which can set you back between £1,000 and £2,000. Although maintenance checks need to be carried out every couple of years, each check will cost around £100 to £200, depending on turbine size. Turbines, on the other hand, require a little more tender love and care (and money). Luckily for you, most solar panel systems only need basic checks and cleaning one or two times a year. You need to make sure you replace the solar inverter every 10 years or so, which will leave you around £1,000 out of pocket, unless you want your whole system to go kaput.īy keeping your solar panels in pristine condition, you can increase their efficiency by up to 3-5%. Solar panels are relatively low maintenance. So, if you’re after the more affordable renewable energy, stick to solar power.

The typical cost of a 2.5kW system is between £9,900 and £19,000, whereas a 6kW system will cost you between £21,000 and £30,000. The energy capacity of each turbine will also add to its price. Since building-mounted turbines need to sit comfortably on a roof, they also need to be much more dainty – meaning they’re unable to generate as much energy as their pole-mounted acquaintance. Of these two turbines, building-mounted turbines are cheaper – but as with most things, a cheaper price tag can mean a less efficient product. Pole-mounted turbines are free-standing and must be in a high up, exposed area, whereas building-mounted turbines are much smaller and can be installed on the roof of your home. The cost of wind turbines fluctuates much more than solar panels, since you have two options to choose from: pole-mounted or building-mounted turbines. The type of solar panel you’re going for.Solar panel costs also fluctuate depending on: In fact, according to Which?, the average price for a 4kWp solar panel system before 2015 was more than £9,000, compared to the average cost of £6,600 in 2018. Solar’s rising popularity has led to a gradual decrease in price over the past decade. The average cost of a solar panel system for a three-bedroom house is £5,420, whereas a wind turbine can cost anywhere between £9,000 and £30,000. However, solar is much cheaper upfront, and is typically lower maintenance. There’s no denying it: both of these options can strain the purse strings.