History shows that advances in renewable energy often follow crises: In the 1970s, oil embargos caused the cost of oil to quadruple, spurring efforts to reduce American dependence on fossil fuels and find alternative sources of power, including solar energy or wind power.¹ The 2008-09 global financ Contact online >>
History shows that advances in renewable energy often follow crises: In the 1970s, oil embargos caused the cost of oil to quadruple, spurring efforts to reduce American dependence on fossil fuels and find alternative sources of power, including solar energy or wind power.¹ The 2008-09 global financial crisis led to several governments linking part of their economic stimulus to investment in clean energy.² The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented energy shock, and following in 2021, investment in renewable energy reached the highest levels since the Great Recession.³
Following crises in Europe, Western economies are once again reminded of the importance of energy independence, and demand for renewable energy sources has gone through the roof. Two of the most popular renewable energy sources in the U.S., at this moment, are solar and wind. Will either take charge as a leader in 2022?
Thanks to the decreasing cost of solar, the technology has never been more worth it for homeowners. Its ease for residential use allows customers to reduce their carbon footprint along with their energy expenses. But humans have been using wind for thousands of years, well before the modern wind turbine ever arrived. In fact, wind power accounted for 5% more energy generation than solar did last year.⁴
So, as we enter the era of renewable energy, will either source of power come out on top? And if you''re considering making the switch to a renewable source of energy, which is better for your needs? Let''s explore.
We''ll start with a little background for color. The earliest recorded evidence of wind energy being used dates to around 6000 to 5000 B.C., when the sail was invented to catch the wind and propel boats.⁵ Over the years, developments in wind power allowed humans to grind grain, pump water, and eventually, around the late 1800s, generate electricity from kinetic energy.
One could argue that solar energy has been used since 700 B.C., when mirrors were used to concentrate solar energy to make fire. But solar cells were not used to generate energy until 1839, when Edmond Becquerel, a young physicist working in France, first observed and noted the photovoltaic effect.⁶ It took more than a century to produce a practical solar panel after Becquerel''s discovery. Solar energy remained in the research-and-development phase for several decades.
Fast forward to 1973 — oil shocks caused gasoline and oil prices to spike, spreading anxiety about the United States'' energy future. U.S. leaders grew increasingly curious about alternative, domestic sources of energy that would reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Coupled with mounting pressure from environmentalists, the ''70s saw tangible federal support for renewable energy. To encourage its development, Congress passed the 1978 Energy Tax Act to provide tax credits for homes with solar panels and fund the development of large wind turbines.⁷ Solar was not cost-effective enough to take off quite yet, but wind turbines caught some modest gains in progressive states.
Over the next few decades, the share of U.S. electricity generation from wind grew from less than 1% in 1990 to about 8.4% in 2020. Solar energy’s share of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation grew from 0.1% in 1990 to around 2.5% in 2020.⁸
In 2022, modern solar panels are either installed on a roof or ground-mounted to convert sunlight into energy. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells (or solar cells) that use the semi-conductive material silicon to create an electric current. The electricity that the panels produce is direct current (DC), and it is converted by an inverter into AC electricity, which is what we use to power our homes.
The best solar panels these days average between a power capacity of 250 to 400 watts, and the most efficient solar panels reach efficiency levels around 20%, meaning 20% of the energy that strikes the panel is converted into electricity. A typical solar array ranges anywhere from 10 to 30 solar panels (or more), with the average being around 20 to power an American household.
The average cost of a solar installation is between $20,000 to $40,000, varying with the complexity of an installation, location, and the size and energy needs of a home. This is a steep barrier to entry, and it remains one of the largest challenges to solar''s growth (which is why some companies have began offering ‘free’ options). However, for those able to afford the upfront cost or take out a solar financing loan, solar provides decades of energy savings and can top even $50,000 of lifetime savings in the right location.
Not only does residential solar help homeowners offset their electricity usage, but installations help homeowners lower their dependence on fossil fuels and public utilities, yielding a number of personal and community benefits.
Wind turbines can also be used to generate electricity. Rather than using the photovoltaic effect, the blades of wind turbines spin to turn an inner rotor. The rotor sends kinetic energy to a generator that converts it into AC electricity, similar to an inverter in a solar array. Also like solar, wind power can be grid-tied or the resulting energy can be stored in a battery.
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the hub height for utility-scale, land-based wind turbines has increased 59% since 1998, measuring about 295 feet in 2020 (about the same height as the Statue of Liberty). And the hub height for offshore turbines in the U.S. is projected to be even taller.⁹ Because turbines are so large, local zoning ordinances usually present challenges to residential wind installations.
This dependence on size contributes most to what differentiates wind from solar power. Wind power takes up far more space to be most effective, and as a result, most wind turbines are used on a commercial or industrial scale rather than residential. However, wind turbines harness about 50% of the energy that passes through them, compared with the 20% efficiency of the top residential solar panels.¹⁰ And unlike solar panels, wind turbines can produce energy at any time of day, making them very effective when implemented properly.
In closing, location is key for wind as a source of energy. Wind turbines work best in large expanses of land without trees, buildings or other obstructions. States like Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois are leading the nation in wind energy, and coastal states such as Virginia, Massachusetts and New Jersey have invested heavily in offshore wind power, a promising avenue for growth.
Though the road has been bumpy with squeezed supply chains and inflation, the cost of renewable energy technologies is near the lowest it has ever been, eclipsing that of traditional sources like coal and natural gas. Solar and wind installations continue to grow exponentially, and technological advances and low costs have made residential clean energy sources extremely in-demand.
Generally speaking, however, wind installations are in almost every case used on a commercial or industrial scale, while solar has proved its value in the residential market. Let''s go over the biggest benefits and drawbacks of each.
What it really comes down to, however, is location. In the world of energy, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Intelligence is a species'' ability to live harmoniously in its environment, using the energy sources most logical for that region. We would never expect solar power to outpace a source of energy like hydropower in regions like the Pacific Northwest. Just like we wouldn''t expect wind power to take off in dense urban areas like New York City.
The future of energy is a decentralized one — one where energy is generated and consumed locally. For homeowners looking to make tangible changes in their lives to work toward a more sustainable future, solar power offers a wonderful opportunity to make a difference. Wind power may not present the same opportunities for homes, but it will surely be a huge part of the collaboration of renewable energy sources in the efforts to reach a net-zero-carbon future.
Karsten Neumeister is a writer and solar energy specialist with a background in writing and the humanities. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the energy sector of New Orleans, focusing on renewable energy policy and technology. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace.
Our editorial team is committed to creating independent and objective content focused on helping our readers make informed decisions. To help support these efforts we receive compensation from companies that advertise with us.
The compensation we receive from these companies may impact how and where products appear on this site. This compensation does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides within our content. We do not include all companies, products or offers that may be available.
Homeowners worldwide are now turning to solar panels installed on roofs or open ground to convert sunlight into usable electrical energy. This shift towards solar energy is not just about environmental responsibility, but also energy independence and cost-effectiveness. However, as we delve into solar energy for residential use, it’s crucial to unpack its efficiency and associated costs.
A typical residential solar panel is about 17.5 square feet and has an efficiency of 15% to 20%, meaning 15% to 20% of the energy that strikes the panel is converted into electricity. Depending on its size and efficiency, a home solar panel can produce between 150 and 370 watts of solar power. For instance, a 290-watt solar panel receiving five hours of direct sun will produce about 1.5 kilowatt hours per day. Given that an average U.S. household uses about 29 kWh per day, you would need about 20 solar panels to entirely offset your electricity bill.
According to the Center for Sustainable Energy, a home solar system costs between $3 to $5 per watt, resulting in an upfront cost of $15,000 to $25,000 for an average 5-kilowatt system. If you wish to add a solar battery bank for energy storage during times of reduced sunlight or grid shutdowns, expect an additional cost of between $5,000 and $10,000. However, federal investment tax credits and local incentives can help offset these costs.
When it comes to maintenance, solar panels demand routine maintenance at least twice a year and panels often come with warranties lasting 25 years. With proper care, panels can last even longer, extending their value over time. It requires an average of 8.7 years to recoup the upfront investment made in installing solar panels.
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