Wind turbine vs solar panels: comparing cost and efficiency

Page date: Published 10 Oct 2025; updated 25 Mar 2026. 3 min read.

The article compares wind generation, which uses moving air to drive a generator, with photovoltaic panels, which convert sunlight to direct current. Wind can generate at night and solar only in daylight; the article says wind systems usually suit rural or offshore areas with consistent wind, while solar can fit rooftops, urban areas and lower-wind sites.

It quotes utility-scale cost ranges of USD 30–39/MWh for solar, USD 24–75/MWh for onshore wind and USD 67–146/MWh for offshore wind. It also gives residential installation ranges of USD 20,000–30,000 for solar and USD 15,000 to over USD 75,000 for small wind, with annual maintenance estimates of USD 150–300 and USD 1,000–3,000 respectively. It claims wind turbines operate at 35–45% efficiency and solar panels convert 20–24% of incident sunlight. These figures are source-dependent, vary by location, technology and assumptions, and the article does not provide a common calculation basis.

For Norway, it notes seasonal daylight variation, potentially strong wind resources and planning constraints such as visual impact, noise, wildlife and permits. It describes combining wind and solar as a way to complement generation patterns, potentially with batteries, and says the preferred technology depends on local conditions. Related links: Energy; Offshore wind; wind-farm impacts; hybrid wind and solar.