This is for a science project and i’m comparing wind energy to solar energy. wind energy only costs $ 1/watt and $ 0.03-$ 0.05/kWh in average windspeeds of 6m/s
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Isn’t solar energy free, the cost comes when you try to collect and save it?
Average system costs = $ 95 per square foot
Average solar panel output = 10.6 watts per square foot
Average solar energy system costs = $ 8.95 per watt
these are initial costs
after including operating costs
solar energy cost approximately $ 0.38-to-$ 0.53 per Kilowatt-Hour (KWH)
To a home owner or small business the cost of solar is:
Solar is $ 7/watt installed. The panels cost about $ 3/watt and the installation is relatively easy. This means production watt not each watt-hr or kw-hr. 1 solar watt will produce 5watt-hrs/day on average. Similarly a 1000 watt solar system will produce 5kw-hrs/day on average.
Wind is $ 10/watt installed. The cost of a wind turbine is approximately $ 2/watt. The installed cost is much higher due to the need to install a tower and run the power though a trench. These watts are production watts as well. In a good wind (25mph for 1 hour) a 1000W wind turbine will produce 1000Watt-hrs or 1kWh.
Comparing them depends upon the location they are going to be installed. On the north pole, wind is a better option because there isnt much sun there. In Arizona there is a lot of predictable sun, so solar would be a better option. The price of wind gets better on large commercial wind farms because the installation cost is less compared with the cost of the turbine.
Hope that helps!
For more detailed information on solar systems visit:
http://www.aurorapower.net/alternative-energy/solar-electric.aspx
P.S. the price per watt is an economics game. Electricity can only be sold at the price people buy it at. $ 0.065/kWhr in Idaho. Renewable energy can also sell green tags to make profit(but that is a different discussion). So in Idaho the cost of solar power and wind power are both $ 0.065/kWhr. The way you will want to compare them is with payback period. (aka; how long will it take for the profit from selling power at $ 0.065/kWhr to pay off my power system)