solar vs wind

As the world continues to search for the best renewable energy resources, two sources continually come to the forefront: solar and wind. Although both of these sources are considered to be environmentally friendly, there are pros and cons to be aware of.

Wind Energy

In many parts of the world, wind power is available in abundant amounts. Along with this, it is 100 percent free. Areas that are clear of obstructions (such as the United States plains), close to the shoreline, or at a higher altitude make a better fit for wind energy.

Pros

1. Wind energy does not release any pollution into the air: Along with this, it does not contribute in any way, shape, or form to global warming – except in their manufacture. When you add the fact that wind turbines do not consume any water, it is easy to see why this is at the top of the list in terms of alternative energy sources.
2. Wind power does not cost a dime: In short, it is clearly one of the best renewable sources of energy as it is considered inexhaustible. In other words, there will always be wind. There is only so much oil and coal in the world. Along with this, it must be extracted from the earth which costs a lot of money. On the other hand, wind turbines can continuously harness the endless supply of kinetic energy derived from wind.
3. A great source for local jobs: From construction of wind turbines to daily maintenance, as the use of wind energy increases more and more local jobs will be created. With the unemployment rate rising and no end in sight, any jobs created by this form of energy should be considered a huge benefit. Additionally, wind resources are often located in remote areas that are already at an extreme economical disadvantage. Bringing wind power to these areas can provide steady revenue to local communities including land owners and farmers.

Cons

1. Not a reliable source in all parts of the world: In short, this form of energy is only efficient when there is enough wind to power the turbines. As you can imagine, there are many parts of the country that lack the necessary wind force.
2. Wind farms are unappealing to the eye: Do you enjoy driving down the highway, looking off into the distance to admire the view? Well, this could come to an end, to a certain extent, as more and more wind farms are built throughout the world. Although beauty is in the end of the beholder, some feel that wind farms are nothing more than an eyesore.
3. Land is expensive: One of the biggest costs associated with wind energy is the land on which the turbines will be constructed. Not only will this land need to be purchased or leased, it is often times more expensive in the areas (such as coastal communities) in which wind power is most effective.

Solar Energy

Over the past five years, solar energy has become more and more popular. This holds true both among commercial and residential properties. Although there are many benefits of solar energy and this appears to be the wave of the future, there are disadvantages holding back mass production and installation.

Pros

1. No pollution: For some, this is the clearly the number one benefit of solar power. Solar panels give off no pollution. The only pollution produced is the direct result of the manufacturing process.
2. The sun is an endless, clean supply of renewable energy: As long as the sun continues to shine this form of energy will do its job. On the contrary, finite fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, are not going to be around forever.
3. Saves money in the long run: There is no denying the fact that solar panels can be an expensive upfront investment (more on this below). That being said, this source of alternative energy can save you money in the future. Since you are using less energy, your utility bills will be much less. In some cases, you may not owe any money at all.

Cons

1. Cost of installation: As noted above, installing solar panels on a home or commercial property can be very expensive. This is a large upfront investment that is not affordable for everybody. However, if you can afford the initial cost you will more than make your money back in the long run thanks to smaller or non-existent utility bills. Generally speaking, the cost of a residential 5-kW system is approximately $35,000 depending on your location.
2. Aesthetics: Are you aware that solar panels can take up a lot of space on your roof? For this reason, they are often times eyesores that homeowners are not willing to deal with. This is one of the biggest drawbacks because there is no solution.
3. Not efficient for around the clock use: Solar panels only work when the sun is shining. When the sun goes down, you are forced to rely on stored energy from the panels or an alternative system. In turn, this could result in a small utility bill every month.