Both solar and small wind turbines can generate clean electricity at home — but they suit very different situations. Solar is broadly applicable and has a mature, well-understood cost structure. Small wind turbines are viable only in areas with consistently high wind speeds, and the economics are harder to justify for most residential applications.
Solar Panels: Broad Applicability, Predictable Output
A 6kW residential solar system costs $15,000–20,000 before the 30% ITC and generates 7,000–10,000 kWh/year depending on location. Systems require minimal maintenance (cleaning once or twice a year), have no moving parts, and carry 25-year performance warranties. Solar works anywhere with reasonable sun exposure — which covers the vast majority of U.S. homes.
Small Wind Turbines: High Potential, Narrow Viability
A residential wind turbine (2–10kW) costs $15,000–75,000 installed. Output depends almost entirely on average wind speed: at 10 mph average wind, a 5kW turbine generates roughly 2,500 kWh/year. At 14 mph, the same turbine generates ~7,000 kWh/year. The DOE recommends a minimum average wind speed of 10–12 mph for small wind to be economically viable. Most suburban locations average 7–9 mph — below the threshold. Wind turbines also require setbacks (often 100+ feet from structures), height permits, and more maintenance than solar due to moving parts.
Cost and Output Comparison
- 6kW solar system: $14,000–18,000 after ITC → 7,000–10,000 kWh/year
- 5kW wind turbine: $25,000–45,000 after ITC → 2,500–10,000 kWh/year (highly location-dependent)
- Best combination: Hybrid solar + small wind can complement each other — wind produces more in winter/cloudy periods when solar underperforms
Which Should You Choose?
For most homeowners: solar. For rural properties with documented high wind speeds (12+ mph average), a small wind turbine or solar+wind hybrid may make sense. Use our Wind Turbine Calculator and Solar Panel ROI Calculator to compare both with your actual location data.