Wind Power

How much is wind power?

The best estimate available for the total cost of wind power is $149 per megawatt hour, taken from a report in 2013. It is difficult to quantify some factors of the cost of wind power, such as the cost of state policies.

How efficient is wind power?

A German physicist, revealed that the maximum possible output for wind turbines is 59 percent. However, any wind farm that boasts of an efficiency of 30% is still efficient today. Some sources – most of which are wind turbine companies, state that they have capacities of 70 – 80% electricity.

Solar Power

How much is solar power?

Residential solar energy costs $0.08 to $0.10 per kWh on average. Prices include the Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) and vary drastically based on the amount of sunlight and type of solar panels installed.

How efficient is solar power?

15 – 22% is the solar power efficiency measure as a percentage. Things that can affect how efficient solar power can be is the way you harness the power from the sun, where you live and other factors. As we all know, the sun is not always up (only up during the day) and this makes a drastic difference in the solar power rating.

Coal Power

Comparing cost of coal power

In 2019, the average delivered price of coal to the electric power sector was $38.53 per short ton (over 900 kg) , which includes both spot and contract purchases. This is much cheaper than solar and wind power and you just get more value out of coal power.

Comparing efficiency of coal power

Coal based power accounts for almost half of the world’s electricity generation. Coal fired power plants operate on the modified Rankine thermodynamic cycle. The efficiency is dictated by the parameters of this thermodynamic cycle. One of the reasons coal power is more efficient to other sources is for the fact that it can be used at any time compared to solar or wind which can only be used at specific times. Solar energy is only available if enough energy is stored into a battery and wind power is only available when there is wind flowing in the area.