Wind Energy vs Solar Energy – Detailed Comparative Analysis
India aims to generate 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. PM Modi had also announced the goal of achieving net zero status by 2070.
To achieve these noble goals, India is actively harnessing both wind energy and solar energy. How should you compare wind energy vs solar energy? In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of wind and solar energy, and outline their utility in different situations.
To understand the pros and cons of wind energy vs solar energy, you must understand how these forms of energy are generated.
A wind turbine converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.
The blades of a wind turbine work like the wings of an aeroplane. It is curved so that the wind blowing over the curves is faster than the wind blowing below it. This creates a low-pressure area over the curve, causing the high pressure below the curve to move the blade.
Typically, the blades rotate at the speed of 10 to 20 revolutions per minute (RPM).
These blades are connected to a generator directly or through a shaft and gearbox. In the latter case, the speed of the generator is increased to about 1,800 RPM so that the generator can produce plenty of electricity.
You may be wondering: why are wind turbines so tall? Well, that’s because wind speed increases with altitude and lack of obstructions such as trees and buildings. Here is a blog you can read to know why bigger wind turbines are better.
Here’s a video explaining the working of wind turbines:
How Solar Panels Generate Electricity?
The photovoltaic cells in solar panels are the engines for generating solar electricity.
Solar cells are doped with phosphorous and boron to ensure the smooth flow of electrons. The phosphorous-doped junction is negative due to phosphorous’ excess electrons compared to silicon, while the boron-doped junction is positive due to boron’s electron deficit compared to silicon.
When sunlight falls on the solar panel, sunlight knocks off electrons from the silicon atoms which leads to the flow of electrons throughout the solar system. This is how a solar panel generates electricity. To learn about the process in detail, you can read our blog.
Here’s a video illustration of how solar panels work:
Wind Energy vs Solar Energy
Let’s know the differences between wind energy and solar energy. Here we have mentioned the differences according to pointers for your easy understanding:
1. Electricity Production of Wind Energy and Solar Energy
While the best solar panels have an efficiency between 20% to 23%, most wind turbines have an efficiency of 50%.
A single wind turbine can generate as much electricity as thousands of solar panels. So wind turbines win in terms of electricity generation.
Another thing to remember is that wind energy can be produced 24 x 7, but solar energy can be produced only during the day. Again, wind energy surpasses the solar energy.
2. Cost-Effectiveness of Wind Energy and Solar Energy
The wind energy installation is measured in terms of 1 to a few MW. At this large scale, wind energy is more cost-effective than solar energy. The cost of installing a 1 MW solar energy in India is around Rs. 5.5 crore to 6.5 crore.
On the other hand, at a residential level, a solar system is more cost-effective than a wind turbine. You can install even a 1 KW solar system at your home. Moreover, it is easier to expand the capacity of a solar system. The cost of solar panel installation depends on the capacity, it is better if you check out the home solar system cost from our dedicated blog.
3. Area Requirement of Solar Energy and Wind Energy
Solar systems occupy much less area compared to wind turbines. You can easily install a 3 kW solar system over an area of 180 sq. ft. On the other hand, you need a vast expanse of land to install wind turbines. It is also important to maintain a lot of space between each wind turbine, a constraint which does not apply to solar systems.
4. Location Considerations for Wind and Solar Energy
You need to see the population density of the place. As wind turbines take up a lot of space, it is best to install them in places with a low population. Such population density is more likely to be found in a rural or coastal area.
But if a place has a high population density, such as an urban area, then installing solar systems is the best option. They take much less space and can be easily installed on rooftops.
The other factor to consider is the amount of energy which can be harnessed at the place. If a place receives a good amount of wind at a high altitude, the place has the potential to generate wind energy. Good solar radiation shows the potential for installing a solar system.
5. Maintenance Requirements of Wind and Solar Energy
Wind turbines require a lot more maintenance compared to solar panels. Wind turbines are more susceptible to lightning and have moving parts, and cranes are required to access them as the blades are placed at a significant height.
On the other hand, you can perform basic solar panel cleaning on your own if the capacity is less. For maintenance and professional checking, you should contact a solar maintenance company. If it is a commercial solar plant, it is a must to have professional maintenance service.
In this regard, you may like to read our blog on:
6. Environmental Concerns of Wind Energy and Solar Energy
Wind energy and solar energy have different impacts on the local flora and fauna.
Wind turbines produce noise which can disturb the nearby avian species. Turbines are also notorious for mortality among birds and bats. Deforestation for setting up wind farms is another major concern.
Setting up solar parks can lead to disputes between the government, the companies developing the solar projects, and the people whose lands are being bought or leased for setting up the project. It can disturb the migration pattern of local animals. However, you can install a rooftop solar panel for home without engaging in any dispute.
Waste disposal is also a major concern regarding solar panels. Chemicals like lead are used for soldering in solar panels and cadmium is used in thin film solar cells. If these chemicals are not disposed of properly, they can harm animal and human life.
Which is Best for Residential Purposes- Wind Energy or Solar Energy?
Installing wind turbines is for large commercial usage and it requires a lot of area.
It makes sense to install a rooftop solar system to meet domestic electricity needs. It is much easier and cheaper to install rooftop solar system and it will occupy a much smaller area.
To store the solar electricity, you can either buy a battery, export the power to a DISCOM, or do both. Accordingly, such systems are called off-grid, on-grid, and hybrid respectively. To learn about each of them, you can read our blog on the differences between on-grid and off-grid solar system.
Which is Best for Commercial Purposes: Wind Energy vs Solar Energy?
Both wind farms and solar parks are excellent choices for generating electricity for commercial usage. You have to study a location to decide which is the best option for a particular place.
While high and consistent solar radiation is necessary for generating solar electricity, strong winds at a high altitude are a prerequisite for wind energy.
Ultimately, you must evaluate the expected return on investment to compare the potential ROI of investing in solar energy and wind energy.
What is a Solar and Wind Hybrid System?
A solar and wind hybrid system generates solar energy as well as wind energy. It is equipped with solar panels and wind turbines. When the sun is shining bright, it generates solar electricity, while when the wind is strong the wind turbines generate wind energy.
The Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat, for example, has 730 MW of solar energy capacity and 4.2 MW of wind energy capacity. You can read our blog to learn more about the park.
What is India’s Potential for Wind and Solar Energy?
We will use government data to highlight India’s potential for generating wind and solar energy.
- Potential for Wind Energy in India
Here’s an overview of the potential of different states for generating wind energy:
| State | Wind Potential at 120 m (GW) | Wind Potential at 150 m (GW) |
| Andhra Pradesh | 74.90 | 123.3 |
| Gujarat | 142.56 | 180.8 |
| Karnataka | 124.15 | 169.3 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 15.40 | 55.4 |
| Maharashtra | 98.21 | 173.9 |
| Rajasthan | 127.75 | 284.2 |
| Tamil Nadu | 68.75 | 95.1 |
| Telangana | 24.83 | 54.7 |
| Others | 18.95 | 27.1 |
| Total | 695.50 | 1163.9 |
Source: MNRE
- Potential for Solar Energy in India
According to the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), if 3% of India’s wasteland is covered by solar panels, it can lead to a power capacity of 748 GW.
The installed capacity for wind power and solar power in India is over 45 GW and 85 GW respectively.
As per the MNRE, around 5,000 trillion kWh of solar energy is incident in India throughout the year. Most parts of the country receive 4-7 kWh per square metre per day. The MNRE says that even if a small portion of the solar energy which falls on India is converted into electricity, it can meet all of the country’s electricity requirements.
Comparing wind energy vs solar energy is crucial for optimising India’s efforts to generate renewable energy. Both wind and solar energy have an important role to play in helping India fulfil the Panchamrit announced at the Glasgow Climate Change Summit in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both have their pros and cons. While solar energy is usually the best option for residential purposes, both solar and wind energy can be utilised commercially.
China has the highest wind power generation capacity followed by the US and Germany.
Yes, an energy project containing wind turbines and solar panels can simultaneously generate both.
The Muppandal Wind Farm with a capacity of 1,500 MW is the largest wind farm in India.
