Wind vs Solar Energy Comparison Calculator
Compare annual energy output and cost from wind and solar at your location.
Find which renewable energy source suits your site better.
Both wind and solar are viable home renewable energy sources, but they suit different sites and climates. The best choice depends on your local wind speed and sunshine hours.
Complementary seasonal profiles: Solar panels produce most energy in summer (long days, high sun angle) and little in winter. Wind turbines often produce more in autumn and winter when storms are frequent. A combination of both smooths out the seasonal variation, which is what makes it worth the extra hardware on an off-grid system.
Cost comparison (UK, 2024–2025):
| System | Installed Cost | Annual Output | Lifetime cost per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar (4 kW, 10 panels) | £5,000–£8,000 | 3,000–4,000 kWh | £0.05–£0.11 |
| Small wind (5 kW) | £15,000–£25,000 | 8,000–15,000 kWh | £0.05–£0.16 |
Lifetime cost is the installed price divided by everything the system makes over its working life, which the calculator takes as 25 years for solar and 20 for small wind. That gap is not arbitrary: solar panels have no moving parts and are routinely warranted to 25 years at 80% output, while a small turbine has bearings, a yaw mechanism and a brake sitting in the weather, and it needs servicing. The maintenance field exists for the same reason. Leave it blank and the comparison quietly flatters the turbine.
Siting requirements:
- Solar: south-facing roof, minimal shading. Works in town and country alike.
- Wind: open exposed site, 10 m or more of clear height, well away from buildings and trees. Rural only, and genuinely rural.
- Average wind speed below 6 m/s: solar almost always wins on cost
- Average wind speed above 8 m/s: wind becomes competitive
Grid connection, and why payback is usually slower than it looks Both can export surplus to the grid, but exported power earns far less than the power you use yourself. In the UK the Smart Export Guarantee pays roughly 5 to 15p/kWh against a retail rate near 28p. A household that exports half its generation is therefore saving nothing like the retail rate on that half, which is why this page asks what share you actually use on site. A rooftop solar system typically self-consumes 30 to 50% without a battery. A turbine generating hardest on winter nights often does worse.
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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