For years now, solar panels and wind turbines have been fueling clean power.
If you’re interested in a career in renewable energy, it’s important to understand the different types of energy resources, what their advantages are and why these resources are essential to everyday life.
To gain the knowledge and skills needed to become an industry pro, it helps to take wind technology courses in our Wind Turbine Technician program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI).1
Learn more about solar vs. wind, when either energy source is better, and what goes into maintaining and installing energy-producing machinery.
What Is Solar Energy?
Solar power is energy generated by capturing sunlight and converting it into electricity through specially designed panels. These panels absorb the sun’s rays and transform them into usable power that can run anything from household appliances to large facilities. Because the sun is a renewable resource, solar power offers a clean, reliable way to produce electricity without creating harmful emissions.
What Is Wind Energy?
Wind energy is created by using turbines that capture the movement of the wind and turn it into electricity. When the blades spin, they power internal machinery that generates usable electric current. Since wind is naturally replenished, it offers a clean and renewable way to supply power without producing pollution.
Advantages of Solar vs. Wind Energy
Solar energy
- No emissions: Energy from solar doesn’t release harmful emissions into the atmosphere, unlike other sources such as coal, oil and gas.
- Low maintenance: After installation, solar panels don’t require frequent maintenance or servicing.
- Availability: Solar energy is one of the most abundant resources on earth, and it doesn’t run out.
Wind energy
- Small environmental footprint: Wind energy doesn’t create harmful emissions. It also has a very small environmental impact on land and surrounding ecosystems.
- Simple construction: Installation is quicker compared to installations for other energy-producing technologies. Wind also has a fast energy payback.
- Cost-effective: The cost of producing wind energy has come down over the last couple of decades, making it one of the most affordable sources of renewable energy.
Read: How Do Wind Turbines Work?
Disadvantages of Solar vs. Wind Energy
Solar energy
- High upfront cost: Installing solar systems — especially for large-scale solar farms — requires significant initial investment.
- Space requirements: Large solar arrays need considerable land or rooftop space to produce meaningful amounts of electricity.
Wind energy
- Location limitations: Wind turbines work best in consistently windy areas, which aren’t always close to where the energy is needed.
- Visual & noise concerns: Turbines are tall, highly visible structures and their mechanical noise can be disruptive for nearby communities.
Solar Energy vs. Wind Energy: Which Renewable Energy Is Better?
How can we determine which renewable energy source is more efficient when it comes to wind turbines vs. solar panels?
With all these benefits and disadvantages in mind, wind is still a more efficient power source than solar. This is because wind turbines release fewer emissions, take less energy to function, cost less to build and produce more energy.
Are you interested in becoming a wind turbine technician? At UTI, we offer a 30-week Wind Turbine Technician program that provides hands-on training to help students gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career after graduation.
Installation and Maintenance of Solar Panels vs. Wind Turbines
Solar panels are installed on the roofs of buildings or at solar farms. Rooftop solar panels can last 20 to 25 years. The solar panels found at farms can last 30 to 35 years. The maintenance needed for solar panels includes cleaning the PV panels, diagnosing and testing the power production, and checking the systems.
The installation of a wind turbine is determined by its size and type. The surrounding area will need to be prepped, a crane may be needed to install the tower and turbine, and the wind turbine system will need to be connected to a grid.
To maintain wind energy systems, wind turbine technicians have duties that include:
- Performing routine wind turbine maintenance, like inspecting components and lubricating parts.
- Inspecting the blades for damage.
- Climbing wind turbine towers to check the gearbox for wear and tear and clean the nacelle.
- Collecting data on wind turbine performance.
- Tightening bolts and electrical connections.
- Replacing components such as turbine blades.
The demand for wind technicians is growing — employment is projected to grow 60% from 2023 to 2033.63 In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), wind turbine service technicians are one of the fastest-growing occupations.
Read: How To Become a Wind Turbine Technician
Common Solar vs. Wind Energy FAQs
What is the main difference between solar energy and wind energy?
Solar energy comes from capturing sunlight with panels, while wind energy is generated by turbines that convert moving air into electricity. Both are renewable, but they rely on different natural conditions — sunlight for solar and steady airflow for wind. Because of this, each performs best in different locations and climates.
Which renewable energy source is more efficient: Solar or wind?
Wind energy is generally more efficient because turbines produce more electricity, cost less to build at scale and require less energy to operate. Solar still offers strong benefits, but its output depends heavily on sunlight and available installation space. For large-scale power production, wind tends to deliver greater returns.
What training is needed to work in the solar or wind energy industry?
Most careers in these fields require hands-on technical training in how energy systems work, along with safety procedures and equipment knowledge. Programs like UTI’s Wind Turbine Technician training teach students how to service, troubleshoot and maintain turbine systems. This kind of instruction helps prepare graduates for entry-level roles in the renewable energy industry.1
Can solar and wind systems be used together?
Yes — solar and wind systems can be combined to create a more stable and reliable energy supply. Because they rely on different natural conditions, one can produce power when the other slows down. Many large-scale renewable energy projects use both to balance output.
Are jobs in wind or solar energy growing faster?
Wind energy roles — especially wind turbine technicians — are growing at one of the fastest rates in the country. Employment for wind techs is projected to grow 60% from 2023 to 2033, outpacing many other renewable energy careers.63 Solar jobs are also expanding, but not at the same rate as wind turbine service roles.
Want To Train To Become a Wind Technician?
Start training the way a real wind technician works from week one. The Wind Turbine Technician program gives you access to advanced equipment and guides you with instructors who are passionate about helping you build the skills employers look for.
Request more information here or by calling 1-800-834-7308. You can speak to an Admissions Rep and learn more about our Wind Turbine Technician training program, which campuses are closest to you and how to get started.
Ready to get started ASAP? Enroll now.
Campuses That Offer Wind Technician Training
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