Which Works The Best Solar Power Or Wind Power?

1. 66

   PhoenixVposted 12 years ago

   Which Works The Best Solar Power Or Wind Power?
   
   Which alternative energy is the most feasible, wind generators or solar panels? Which of these is the most efficient and which makes the most sense cost-wise and why?

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2. 86

   SallyTXposted 12 years ago

   It depends on what you want and where you are! If you are in a windswept desert, you could probably install both and sell a heck of a lot of power back to the grid (or just go off the grid and be super-charged!)
   
   Everyone can make use of solar power in little and big ways. The sun is a nice free source of warmth for your home, your sun tea pitcher, your rising bread dough and your swimming pool without any fancy, expensive purchases. Add a few solar panels, and you've really got something.
   
   Wind energy takes a lot of space to generate, so as far as I know, it's not as flexible and useful to homeowners as solar, but I could be wrong! ;D

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3. 61

   win-winresourcesposted 12 years ago

   Hi PhoenixV-
   
   While solar arrays and wind turbines often co-exist, particularly in large installations, you need to understand some basics.
   
   In the case of wind power, you will need to refer to a wind map (like a topographical map but for steady wind) to determine if there is enough wind and at a usable speed.  Furthermore, since wind does not blow constantly, the conventional wisdom is that wind generation needs to be overbuilt by a factor of three to one.  This means that if you want, say, 1 KW of power, you need to build 3 KW worth AND they need to be located in different places (would do no good to have 3 similarly located turbines all becalmed at the same time).
   
   Solar phohtovoltaics, the most common for residential applications now, can be sized to accomodate most houses (build to about 80% of the annual need - not 100% or more), if there is sufficient south facing unshaded roof. 
   
   In both cases you remain connected to the native utility grid to provide power when your generation is not matching your needs (think, calm night).  Also this permits the resale back to the utility when you have overgeneration.
   
   There are   currently several rebates, refunds, investment tax credits, renewable energy credits, and depreciation that helps offset the cost of these technologies.
   
   Every person has their own tax circumstances (tax appetite is critical to be able to use credits) and their own environmental goals.
   
   No one answer fits all.
   
   -DW

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4. 80

   daskittlez69posted 12 years ago

   Neither, what works best is when you use wind power along with solar power.

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5. 80

   Laura Schneiderposted 11 years ago

   The answer to this question depends on the wind available on a regular basis, the sun available on a regular basis, and also the reliability and efficiency of your storage mechanism (battery, etc.). In other words, although this question has an answer in each specific instance in which you analyze this scenario that answer will vary.

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6. 60

   RamkiJeyamposted 7 years ago

   This is not about which is best over the other. Solar power combined with wind power is the best way to generate enough renewable energy for day to day use. In places where there isn't enough wind, wind farms won't be feasible. In the same way, some parts of arctic where the sun won't rise for weeks can't rely on solar energy. Everything depends on the place you live and your energy requirement.

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