Solar vs. Wind Energy
- Craig Kaiser
- Sep 24
- 9 min read
When it comes to renewable energy, solar and wind power often take center stage—but which one makes the most sense for your land? Both energy sources come with unique benefits and limitations, from land use requirements to revenue potential, and understanding these differences is key for landowners exploring lease opportunities. In this blog, we’ll break down how solar and wind stack up against each other, what the future holds for each resource, and most importantly, how you can determine which lease type is the right fit for your property.
Understanding Solar Energy
Solar energy is the radiation from the sun that reaches Earth. When sunlight strikes the photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels, these cells absorb the radiation and convert it into electricity. Solar panel systems have become increasingly common on rooftops and in open fields, offering a silent and reliable energy source.
The Benefits of Solar Power
Solar panels offer broad applicability, as they can be installed almost anywhere with consistent sunlight, making them suitable for urban, suburban, and rural properties, whether mounted on a roof or on the ground. Overall, the solar industry has seen costs fall and electricity prices drop. They are also low maintenance, thanks to their durable design with no moving parts- typically requiring only occasional cleaning to remove dust and debris that may block sunlight. Additionally, solar systems operate silently, as they don’t rely on turbines or gears, making them an excellent choice for residential areas where noise pollution could be an issue. While solar energy production depends on weather, it is generally predictable on a daily and seasonal basis, allowing you to estimate energy output based on historical sunlight data for your location.
The Limitations of Solar Power
The most obvious limitation of solar power is its dependence on sunlight; panels don't produce energy at night and are less effective on cloudy days, often requiring energy storage systems like batteries for continuous power. Furthermore, the energy output is directly linked to the panel's surface area, meaning large homes or commercial operations may need significant roof space or land. Despite price drops, the initial cost for a solar system, including installation and battery storage, can still be substantial.
Understanding Wind Energy
Wind turbines work by harnessing wind's kinetic energy to generate electricity. As wind moves the blades, they spin a rotor connected to a generator, which converts the motion into electrical energy. The rotor blades create aerodynamic force, like helicopter blades. Wind flowing over the blade reduces air pressure on one side, creating lift and drag. With lift stronger than drag, the rotor spins, powering the generator to produce electricity.
The Benefits of Wind Power
Wind power offers several key benefits. A single wind turbine can potentially generate more electricity than a similarly priced solar panel system, given sufficient wind, making it ideal for properties with high energy demands. Furthermore, wind turbines can produce energy 24/7 as long as the wind blows, reducing reliance on battery storage for continuous power- a distinct advantage over solar. Lastly, while turbines need open space, their physical footprint is relatively small, leaving surrounding land free for other uses like farming or grazing.
The Limitations of Wind Power
Wind power faces several limitations. The most significant challenge is its dependence on consistent and adequate wind speeds, with most small turbines requiring an average of at least 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) for efficient operation. Furthermore, turbines demand open areas, away from obstructions like buildings and trees, and are often subject to local zoning laws that impose height restrictions or noise regulations, potentially limiting or prohibiting their installation. Beyond these practicalities, wind turbines can generate noise from their rotating blades, which some find disruptive, and their tall structures can significantly alter the visual landscape. Due to their moving parts, such as blades and gearboxes, wind turbines typically require more regular maintenance compared to solar panels to ensure their safe and efficient function.
Additionally, permitting delays and interconnection queues have created major obstacles for wind developments, with 40% of U.S. projects currently stalled in the permitting phase. Rising interest rates also hinder growth, as developers require substantial loans to build wind farms.
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Both solar and wind energy offer a sustainable way to generate clean energy and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. Overall, wind is a more efficient power source than solar. Wind turbines release less CO2, consume less energy, and produce more energy than solar panels. However, wind energy isn't a clear winner. Turbines can be an eyesore and require significant space. They can also harm wildlife and are generally unsuitable for densely populated areas, often requiring placement in rural regions far from major consumption centers.
For suburban or urban areas, solar panels are a more practical choice. They can be installed on rooftops of homes, schools, and businesses, and are increasingly available through affordable purchase or lease options. New developments even integrate solar panels into facades, roofs, windows, and patio umbrellas.
Here’s a breakdown of key differences between solar and wind energy:
Predictability: Solar energy provides a more predictable output than wind energy. Solar farms can also generate power on a massive scale.
Installation Space: Unlike wind turbines, solar panels don't require unused/ vacant land, as they can be installed on existing roofs or parking lots.
Noise: Solar panels are virtually silent, whereas wind turbines produce some noise.
Night/Cloudy Conditions: Solar energy cannot be harnessed at night or during heavy cloud cover, but wind energy can be harnessed overnight. However, the advancements in solar panel technology have minimized the effects of weather on solar panel performance so that they can still produce clean energy, even on cloudy days.
Efficiency & Emissions: Wind is a more efficient power source than solar, releasing significantly less CO2 per kWh (4.64g for wind vs. 70g for solar).
Energy Consumption/Production: Wind power generally consumes less energy and produces more energy compared to solar panels.
Solar Farms vs. Wind Farms in the U.S.
Solar power represents the most affordable and popular renewable energy source globally. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), there are currently more than 8,100 major solar projects in the U.S., representing over 339 GWdc of capacity. The U.S.'s largest solar farm, the Topaz Solar Farm in San Luis Obispo County, CA, spans 4,700 acres with over 9 million solar panels. It can power about 180,000 homes and annually reduces carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 407,000 metric tons annually.
According to the U.S. Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB), there are over 76,000 wind turbines in the United States. These have been built since 1980 across approximately 1,500 wind power projects in at least 44 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam. The largest wind farm in the U.S. is the Alta Wind Energy Center in Tehachapi Pass, Kern County, California. The wind farm, with 600 turbines and a total installed capacity of about 1,550 MW, sells its power to Southern California Edison under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). It generates enough clean energy to supply 450,000 households.
Future Outlooks for Solar vs. Wind Energy in 2025
By 2025, both solar and wind energy are set for significant advancements. Solar will become more accessible and efficient due to falling panel costs and battery innovations. Wind energy will expand with better turbine designs and offshore projects, utilizing high-wind areas. Together, these will drive sustainable energy goals and reduce fossil fuel dependence.
Recent headlines in the renewable energy sector have been dominated by the Trump administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which was signed into law in July 2025. A key provision in this legislation accelerates the phasing out of two major incentives for clean energy development in the U.S.: the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the Production Tax Credit (PTC). These federal incentives have been instrumental in the growth of solar power across the country, but even though they are being phased out, it's not a death sentence for solar or wind energy.
As a result of this legislation, energy developers will be increasingly drawn to states with strong state-level incentives, even if these states have more complex regulations and challenging siting conditions. As a result, more solar projects are likely to be developed in states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, and Illinois.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts has one of the nation’s most lucrative solar development incentives for both residential and commercial solar projects through the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program.
New Jersey: Solar power in New Jersey is supported by the Successor Solar Incentive (SuSI) program and strong RPS standards.
Maryland: Maryland offers long-term REC contracts and favorable SREC trading conditions that will still make solar projects viable and profitable.
New York: New York supports solar energy through the NY-Sun program, offering incentives to boost solar capacity and affordability. The state also promotes large-scale renewable energy via the Clean Energy Standard (CES), procuring Tier 1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from new solar and wind projects through competitive bidding.
Illinois: Illinois benefits from CEJA and the Adjustable Block Program (ABP) by advancing a carbon-free power grid, creating clean energy jobs in minority and low-income communities, expanding renewable energy access, and lowering electricity costs. Revived by CEJA, the ABP incentivizes solar adoption, while CEJA supports the transition with financing, workforce development, and equity-focused policies.
Property owners in these states are uniquely positioned to monetize their land through solar or wind leases. In a solar or a wind lease agreement, the energy developer pays the landowner for the use of their land for long-term periods, often ranging from 20-50 years. If you're curious how much you could earn to lease your land for a solar farm or a wind farm, get a free LandApp Property Report and check out the Solar and Wind Value Index Scores:
While Trump will influence U.S. wind and solar energy growth, his impact might not be as decisive as some fear. The United States possesses vast untapped solar and wind energy resources. However, success will likely hinge on global policy shifts, the resilience of global supply chains amid geopolitical tensions, and the adoption of new and improved wind and solar technologies. For instance, the Columbia Business School notes that Earth holds 424 terawatts (TW) of wind energy resources, yet current turbines use less than 0.5% of this potential. New technologies, like floating turbines and floating solar panels, are developing rapidly, making it possible to harness this energy in new regions.
Solar vs. Wind Energy: What's Best for Your Property?
Many landowners across the country are choosing to lease their land for solar panels or wind turbines to produce clean energy and generate long-term, reliable income. The best option for your property depends on various factors, like location, property size, and proximity to energy grid infrastructure.
1) Location
The location of your property is a fundamental factor when considering which renewable energy option, be it solar or wind, will be most effective and viable for your specific land. This is because the natural resources available in a given geographic area directly influence the efficiency and profitability of either technology. The regulatory environment and economic support within a particular region are equally significant. States that actively promote renewable energy development through various high incentives and favorable policies are generally more attractive to developers, making properties within those states more likely candidates for long-term leases for solar farms or wind energy projects.
Solar panels require direct sunlight to generate electricity, making them more suitable for properties located in sunny areas such as deserts or open fields without heavy tree cover. Solar developers may be willing to cut trees in order to install solar panels, but this is uncommon. On the other hand, wind turbines need strong and consistent winds to produce energy efficiently. If you live in an area known for steady, consistent wind speeds, your property may be qualified for a wind lease.
2) Land Requirements & Acreage
Utility-scale solar farms typically require at least 30 acres of land, while community solar farms require at least 5 acres of land on average. Wind farms require more land than solar farms- one large wind turbine can require up to 80 acres of land, because the turbines must be placed far apart in order to operate effectively.
For both solar farms and wind farms, the land must be relatively flat and accessible. It's important to remember that not all of your acreage may be suitable for a solar farm or a wind farm. Many renewable energy exclusion zones prohibit the installation of wind turbines or solar panels, like dwellings, waterways, and flood zones.
3) Proximity to Energy Grid Infrastructure
Land suitable for solar or wind farms is typically located near energy grid infrastructure, such as substations and transmission lines. Properties within 4 miles of a substation and within 1 mile of transmission lines are more likely to receive solar or wind lease offers. The closer the property is to this infrastructure, the better the chances of receiving a lease offer.
Connect with Solar & Wind Developers on LandApp
Renewable energy offers an incredible opportunity for landowners to contribute to a sustainable future while potentially earning passive income. Landowners can easily list their land for lease on LandApp's marketplace for solar panels or wind turbines completely free of charge. The process is simple and requires no obligations to accept any offers. By listing their property, landowners gain access to developers actively seeking suitable land for renewable energy projects. Once your land is listed, developers may review your property’s potential and connect with you directly if it meets their project requirements.
