

You do need to find a prime spot on your property to catch the best wind for generating electricity. That’s why it is a good idea to mount the turbine on a tall pole to get clear of these obstructions and tap into the stronger air currents above 10m (33ft). Little or no wind, trees, hills and tall buildings all conspire to interfere with a wind turbine’s ability to produce electricity. Wind is a fickle natural resource and turbines don’t like anything that interrupts their airflow. But if there is wind, your turbine will spin away and produce energy to help reduce your consumption from the grid or top up your batteries for the following day. Solar panels won’t do you any good at these times. More likely, your family is using the most electricity between 5pm and 8pm when you are all at home. Not during the day – you are at work and the kids are at school. So how could a wind turbine possibly benefit me I hear you ask? Well, think about when you and your family use the most electricity. What this means is that because a turbine can transform wind into electricity much better than a solar panel converts sunlight into electricity, you need many, many solar panels to give you the same power output as a single wind turbine. The two biggest drivers behind this meteoric rise are down to the wind turbine – it can operate day and night to generate electricity and its energy production is far more efficient than a solar panel. Wind power is currently the fastest growing renewable energy source in the world.
Home wind turbine vs solar panels generator#
The wind’s motion (kinetic energy) is captured using the aerodynamic blades of a wind turbine which spin a generator to create electricity. What is Wind Power?Īt its simplest, wind is the movement of air caused by the Sun’s uneven heating of the Earth’s atmosphere. To help you, we explain the differences between wind and solar power and explore why a wind turbine is just as worthy of consideration for your home as its sibling, the solar panel.

Home wind turbine vs solar panels install#
After all, you are about to install a miniature power plant in your home.

Doing some homework upfront will help you manage expectations, save money and avoid years of frustration and headaches. But which technology is better – wind turbines or solar panels?Ĭhoosing a suitable renewable energy system for your particular needs, both now and in the future, is important if you want to see a return on your investment. Wind and solar power are the two clear favourites. Skyrocketing energy prices, power blackouts and growing environmental consciousness have reignited our fascination with home-based renewable energy systems in recent years.
