Solar vs. Wind: Which Clean Energy Source is Right for Your Home?

Increasingly, homeowners are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint and find ways to make their homes more energy efficient and sustainable. Switching to a clean, renewable energy source is an appealing idea, because modern technological strides have made alternative energy sources more affordable and viable than ever before. If you dream of going off the grid, which energy source would you choose? Both solar and wind energy is now available to homeowners, and both options are environmentally friendly and can help you achieve lower energy costs. Let’s take a closer look at these two options, so that you can make an informed decision.

What Are Clean Energy Sources?

Something is a clean, renewable energy source if it can be naturally replenished and doesn’t directly produce CO2 emissions. Technologies generally considered to be clean energy include sources like hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy, solar, and wind power. Unlike fossil fuels, these energy sources do not emit greenhouse gases. They are also not likely to run out like oil, gas, and coal will. The most practical clean energy sources for homeowners are solar power and wind power.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources: Solar and Wind

Solar energy and wind energy have some commonality. They are both renewable, sustainable energy sources that generate clean power. They can also both be used for large scale and small scale applications, in the form of solar farms and wind power plants or small scale versions for individual homes. Solar energy is captured by solar panels, which are wired together and usually mounted to the roof.  When the sun shines on the solar panels, the panels capture it, converting it into electrical current that can power your home. Wind power is generated by wind turbines, which only spin when the wind blows. As the turbines spin, they power a generator that creates electricity by turning. Turbines are typically large, so they require a good deal of space, though they can be made small enough to fit on a roof, in certain instances.  Which is a better option for your home?

Understanding Renewable Energy: Solar Pros and Cons

Solar energy can be used in almost any location. It can be made with panels small enough to power a phone charger or calculator, or large scale applications to power an entire town. Solar panels affixed to the roof of a house, paired with a solar energy storage battery to bank energy, will generate electricity even when it’s cloudy or dark. Of course, solar panels will need to be installed facing the right direction for optimal exposure to the sun, and they will produce more energy if you live in a sunny state than if you live in a state prone to cloudy, overcast weather.

Pros of Solar Power:   

• Versatile
• Low-Maintenance
• Consistent Energy Source
• Can Save Money on Energy Bills
• Noiseless
• Can Be Used in Densely Populated areas

Cons of Solar Power:

• The Initial Investment Can Be Cost Prohibitive
• Property Taxes and Homeowner’s Insurance May Increase
• Value Can Vary Based on Location

Understanding Renewable Energy: Wind Power Pros and Cons

Wind energy is an amazing power source when used in utility scale applications. Wind power systems can be placed on and off shore, so this gives a wide area for placement. They work by creating kinetic energy produced by the turbines turning in the wind, and require winds of about 10 mph to generate electricity. Wind power has huge potential, but can be tricky to install in a neighborhood. In general, this type of energy source is best used in large scale applications, like power plants.

Pros of Wind Power

• Clean, Renewable Energy
• Can Be Made Small Enough to Fit on a Roof
• Inexpensive
• Lowers Energy Costs

Cons of Wind Power

• Can Be Noisy and Unsightly- may detract from curb appeal
• The Power Can Be Inconsistent
• Wind Turbine Installers Are Harder to Find than Solar Panel Installers
• Can Kill Birds and Bats
• May Require Maintenance as Moving Parts Degrade

Which Renewable Energy Source is Right for You?

In the end, most homeowners find that solar energy is a more convenient and reliable option for an individual home. Solar power is much more popular in developed areas, so it’s easy to find someone to install solar panels. In addition, homes in developed areas lend themselves much more easily to solar panels than wind turbines. On the other hand, for homes in very open, rural areas, residential wind systems can be a perfect fit. Whichever system works best with your property is the right choice, because both types of system offer clean energy that is a reasonable and practical alternative to fossil fuels.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with a Renewable Energy Source and a Recycling Plan

For more than a century, Okon Recycling has been a trusted leader in the international metal recycling industry. Our business is built on a foundation of long-standing relationships, and many of our employees, vendors, and customers have been with us for decades or even generations. We are a family-owned company, currently under the leadership of the 4^th generation Okon.

Over our long history, we have procured millions of tons of raw materials, and this has played a major role in infrastructure development and global events. Committed to forward-thinking focus and innovative recycling solutions, we continuously update and improve our facility with the latest technology.

Community and environment come first for us, and we continue to be an active and charitable leader in our industry. And even though we are large enough to offer a full range of recycling services and equipment, offer competitive pricing, and have comprehensive insurance coverage, we are still small enough to customize our services and give our clients access to our top decision makers. For more information and to learn how we can offer you personalized recycling solutions, contact us through our website.