Excerpt: We recently compared solar panels to wind turbines for our small home, and the results were surprisingly nuanced. While sunlight is famously intermittent, our solar panels delivered consistent power during peak hours, relying on battery storage to tide us over when the sun dipped below the horizon. On the other hand, wind turbines offered marginal backup in breezy conditions but struggled in our consistently calm climate. What surprised us most was the cost-efficiency of each: solar came out ahead in the long run, despite the initial setup. Though weather played a huge role, we found solar’s stable output more reliable for small-homes. The verdict? Solar wins, but the best setup often depends on local winds and sun exposure.